CORNWALL, ON, Oct. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - On September 4, 2014, members of the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) were called to the Cornwall Port of Entry by the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officers. They had performed a secondary search of a vehicle traveling through the border and discovered drugs in the vehicle. RCMP officers attended the scene and arrested Kyle ADAMS, age 25 of Lunenburg, Steven ADAMS, age 51 of South Stormont and Jeffrey GOULET, age 48 of Cornwall for drug possession. They were all released on their respective Promises to Appear.
Members of the CRTF were conducting surveillance on the shorline of the St Lawrence River in the early morning hours on September 16, 2014 when they observed a male (a 21 year old from Rigaud) piling boxes of contraband cigarettes on a property in South Glengarry. Officers approached the suspect who then attempted to flee from police on foot. He was apprehended moments later without incident and arrested. There were a total of 45 cases of contraband cigarettes that were seized. Charges under the Excise Act, 2001 are pending.
In the late afternoon on September 16, 2014, members of the CRTF responded to a call from CBSA officers at the Port of Entry. A vehicle with a lone female driver was traveling through the POE and referred for a secondary inspection. During the inspection the officers noted an overwhelming scent of tobacco emanating from the vehicle. Following a close examination they discovered that the wall of the box of the truck could be pulled back and they seized several boxes of contraband tobacco located in this hidden compartment. A further search revealed two other hidden compartments inside the vehicle containing contraband tobacco. Dana Lisa WHITE, age 49 of Akwesasne was charged under the Excise Act, 2001 for attempting to smuggle contraband tobacco into Canada. A total of 14 cases of contraband cigarettes were seized along with the Chevrolet pick-up truck that was driven by WHITE. She was released on a Recognizance with a $500 cash deposit.
On September 17, 2014, members of the CRTF Marine unit were on patrol on the St Lawrence River when they approached two males operating a pontoon boat. After a brief conversation and further investigation, the officers located six trap doors bolted onto the pontoons of the boat. Inside these hidden compartments, the officers discovered forty eight (48) cases of contraband cigarettes that had been concealed. Arrested and charged under the Excise Act, 2001 are 24 year old Daniel LALONDE and 44 year old Kevin Smith, both of Cornwall. They were released on PTA's. There were a total of 48 cases of contraband tobacco seized along with the modified pontoon boat, a trailer and a Dodge pick-up truck.
On September 25, 2014, members of the CRTF observed a boat loaded with contraband approaching the shore of the St Lawrence River near Bainsville. The officers attended the area where the contraband had been dropped off and observed a pick-up truck leaving the laneway, they attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle sped away. The members caught up to the pick-up truck but the two occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. The Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the OPP K-9 unit were dispatched and after a search of the area, the driver was located hiding in a nearby forest and arrested without incident. Louis-Philippe CHASLE, age 22 of Saint- Zotique was charged for possession of contraband tobacco and released on a PTA. The CRTF officers seized a Ford pick-up truck and two thousand eight hundred and seventy five (2,875) cartons of contraband cigarettes.
The individuals noted above, who have been charged under the provisions of the Excise Act, 2001, also face charges under the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possession of unmarked cigarettes.
"We can see how our great cooperation between agencies resulted in successful investigations" said Cst. Juneau media relation officer from the CRTF. "Officers and partner agencies are working hard to make our community safe, these successes can be even stronger with everyone's vigilance. Remember to report any suspicious activities to your local police for increase efficiency."
If you have any information regarding criminal activity in your area, you can contact the CRTF at 1-613-937-2800 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The CRTF is a joint forces partnership that includes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Canada Border Services Agency, and the Ontario Ministry of Finance.
SOURCE: Cornwall Regional Task Force
Contacts:
Cst. Jean Juneau
Cornwall RTF
613-937-2800, ext. 258
Sgt. Kristine Rae
Ontario Provincial Police
613-285-5479
Share this article