SOUTH GLENGARRY, ON, Dec. 4 /CNW/ - A 31 year old male resident from
Hagersville, Ontario and a 53 year old male resident from Ohsweken, Ontario
both face charges under the Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco
product not properly stamped after they were stopped by officers from the
Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for a commercial vehicle inspection.
On December 2nd, 2008, officers observed a 2008 International Maxxforce
DT Truck failing to pull into the Lancaster Truck Inspection Station on
Highway 401 westbound in South Glengarry, Ontario. The MTO officer located the
truck travelling westbound on Highway 401 and stopped the truck near the
Fraser Road overpass. The driver was instructed to return to the Lancaster
Truck Inspection Station. During the inspection, officers observed the cargo
area of the truck to contain cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes.
Officers from the Cornwall RCMP Detachment were contacted to assist. The
RCMP officers seized 1,950 cartons of Discount brand cigarettes, 6,250 cartons
of Stones brand King Size cigarettes, 1,250 cartons of Smugglers brand King
Size cigarettes and 5,450 cartons of DK's brand cigarettes. The vehicle was
returned to the rental company located in Brantford, Ontario. The driver and
the passenger were both arrested by the RCMP and released to appear at the
Alexandria court on January 7th, 2009. The driver was also issued a Highway
Traffic Act ticket by the MTO officer for failing to stop for a commercial
vehicle inspection.
"We believe that the Discount and DK's brand cigarettes seized in this
incident were manufactured in the United States and smuggled into Canada and
the other brands were manufactured at an illicit factory located in the
Province of Quebec", said Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP. "We believe this
shipment was being transported from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec
to Six Nations located in Southern Ontario".
For further information: Sgt. Michael Harvey, RCMP Cornwall Detachment,
(613) 937-2831
