Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit Seizes Important Quantity of
Contraband Cigarettes and Cash and Arrests 2 Cornwall Residents

CORNWALL, ON, Oct. 21 /CNW/ - On October 18^th, 2010, members from the Cornwall Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit - Contraband Tobacco Initiative (CFSEU-CTI), assisted by members of the Cornwall Regional Task Force arrested two residents of Cornwall for possession of "unstamped tobacco" under the Authority of the Excise Act 2001. 

Members of the Cornwall CFSEU-CTI conducted an investigation and executed a search warrant after receiving information that contraband tobacco was being distributed out of a Yates Avenue residence in Cornwall.  5850 cartons of illegal cigarettes, over $9,000 in cash and oxycodone pills were seized from the location.

The Contraband Tobacco Initiative is a new integrated response by law enforcement partners to combat Contraband Tobacco Organized Crime in the Greater Cornwall Region.  Cornwall CFSEU is composed of officers from the Ontario Provincial Police, the Cornwall Community Police Service, the Canada Border Service Agency, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 

Organized Crime is extensively involved in the illicit tobacco market.  The profits from illicit tobacco are used to fund other illicit activities, such as drug and firearms smuggling.

For further information:

Michael Harvey, Sgt .
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Cornwall Regional Task Force
Bus: [phone]