Cornwall Regional Task Force seizes a large amount of contraband tobacco
during search on a property

SOUTH GLENGARRY, ON, May 31 /CNW/ - On May 30th, 2010, officers from the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) executed a search warrant at a residence located close to the St. Lawrence River on 69th Avenue in South Glengarry, Ontario. Officers seized the following items located on the property:

    
    -   3 vessels described as a duck boat with a Mercury 200 outboard motor,
        an aluminum Princecraft Springbok boat with an electric motor, and an
        aluminum fishing boat with a Evinrude E-TEC 40 motor
    -   4,450 assorted re-sealable bags and cartons each containing 200
        contraband cigarettes
    -   500 cartons of Tomahawk Brand Little Cigars Made in AMT grape and
        vanilla flavours
    -   1,027 kilograms of fine cut tobacco that were contained in a total of
        55 garbage bags
    -   4 surveillance cameras located on various buildings on the property
    -   1 set of Night Owl brand night vision goggles
    -   1 ultraviolet light counterfeit money detector
    -   1 Accubanker AB 1000 money counter machine
    -   1 Uniden Truncktracker IV police radio scanner
    -   1 Lorex video surveillance switch box
    

During the search a 41 year old male resident from Cornwall, Ontario and who was renting the property, was arrested. He faces Excise Act 2001 charges for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped and was released to appear court on a later date.

Also during the search officers located and arrested 45 year old Ian Gordon Conklin from Augusta, Ontario who was hiding in the attic. He is currently being held for a bail hearing and was charged for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped. Conklin also was arrested for outstanding arrest warrants with the Grenville Ontario Provincial Police for 9 charges involving offences under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act including conspiracy and trafficking cocaine.

Both individuals also face a charge under authority of the Tobacco Tax Act for possession of the unstamped tobacco product. This was a criminal organization that was set up in our region to make huge profits from criminal activity. Residents living along the St. Lawrence River have complained to police about the illicit contraband smuggling that continues to increase and the CRTF is addressing those complaints.

If anyone observes suspicious activity they may contact the CRTF at 613-937-2800 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

For further information: Sgt. Michael Harvey, Cornwall Regional Task Force, [phone]; Sgt. Kristine Rae, Ontario Provincial Police, [phone]