CORNWALL, ON, June 20, 2013 /CNW/ - While conducting surveillance at a South Glengarry campground, on April 17th, 2013, members of the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) observed a boat approach the shoreline. The boat's occupants met an individual standing on shore and contraband cases were quickly unloaded from the vessel, which departed shortly after. Members moved in to apprehend the male, later identified as Bradford LAUZON (age 28) from Cornwall, Ontario. LAUZON was found to be in possession of 25 cases of contraband cigarettes. He was arrested and charged for the unstamped tobacco, processed and later released from custody on a Recognizance with Undertaking.
On the evening of April 24th, 2013, while conducting surveillance along the shores of the St. Lawrence River, in the Bainsville, Ontario area, members of the CRTF located a Ford Windstar van filled with approximately 700 kilograms of fine cut tobacco. The conveyance and contraband was seized. No individuals have yet been charged in this matter.
On the afternoon of April 27th, 2013, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) notified CRTF members that a pickup truck had failed to stop at the Cornwall Port of Entry (POE) earlier that day. CRTF members scoured the area and later recovered the suspect vehicle, a 2012 Ford F-250 along with eleven (11) cases of contraband cigarettes, at the rear of a 7th Street West, Cornwall business. Ensuing investigation alleges that Nolan THOMPSON (age 19) from Hogansburg, NY, was driving the vehicle at the time he failed to stop to report at the POE. Police have an outstanding arrest warrant for THOMPSON.
On April 29th, 2013, CRTF members were called to Cornwall's POE by CBSA officers to arrest and process three (3) individuals who had been stopped and found to be in possession of non-duty paid packaged alcohol. Diane LAJOIE (age 29) and April LAZORE (age 28), both from Cornwall and Sherman JACOBS (age 44) from Akwesasne, Ontario were found to be in possession of 54 - 1.75 litre bottles of assorted liquor. All three were processed at the RCMP Detachment and released from custody to appear at a future court date. Their vehicle along with the liquor was seized.
On the night of April 30th, 2013, an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) traffic stop on the Highway 401, in South Dundas, lead to the arrest of the driver for being in possession of contraband tobacco. Upon discovery of the contraband, the CRTF was notified. Nathan SOUTHWORTH (age 25) from Bombay, New York, was arrested and charged for being in possession of 29 cases of contraband tobacco. SOUTHWORTH's vehicle along with the contraband was seized.
During the afternoon of May 22nd, 2013, following a complaint that a South Glengarry residence was being used without the property owner's consent, CRTF members attended the property in question. Upon arrival, the members observed a vehicle and a male at the residence. The male, later identified as Jacques DESGROSEILLIERS (age 66) from Melocheville, Quebec, was placed under arrest for being in possession of unstamped tobacco. In total, 320.5 kilograms of fine cut tobacco and two (2) cases of contraband cigarettes and DESGROSEILLIERS' vehicle was seized. DESGROSEILLIERS was processed and released on his own Recognizance pending his 1st court appearance.
In the evening of June 10th, 2013, CRTF members were called to the POE to process another domestic contraband cigarette seizure. Carl VAN EVERY (age 18) from Akwesasne, Ontario was arrested and charged for having in his possession ten (10) cases of contraband cigarettes. His conveyance along with the contraband was seized. VAN EVERY was processed and later released from custody on a Promise to Appear.
On June 11th, 2013, CRTF members were once again called to attend Cornwall's Port of Entry. Jordan OAKES (age 32) from Hogansburg, NY, was using a modified pickup truck in his efforts to smuggle four (4) cases of contraband cigarettes through Customs. OAKES was arrested and charged for being in possession of unstamped tobacco and later released from custody on a Promise to Appear. The conveyance and the contraband cigarettes were seized.
During the early morning hours of June 13th, 2013, while conducting surveillance in South Glengarry, CRTF members observed a vessel heading towards shore. Before members could get on scene, the vessel had departed. Upon arrival, CRTF found an unoccupied SUV along 41 bags of fine cut tobacco. The vehicle and contraband weighing approximately 620 kilograms was seized. This investigation is ongoing.
Early afternoon on June 15th, 2013, CRTF was called to the POE to arrest Christine DURFY (age 59) from Almonte, Ontario, who was found to be in possession of five (5) cases of contraband cigarettes. Her vehicle, a 2006 Impala, was also seized. DURFY was brought to the RCMP Detachment, where she was processed and released on a Promise to Appear.
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.
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, Canada Border Services Agency, Ontario Provincial Police, Cornwall Community Police Service and the Ontario Ministry of Finance.
SOURCE: Cornwall Regional Task Force
Cst. Jean Juneau
Cornwall RTF
613-937-2800, ext. 258
Sgt. Kristine Rae
Ontario Provincial Police
613-285-5479
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