Kapuskasing OPP and Sudbury RCMP seize 300,000 Cigarettes and make two arrests

SUDBURY, ON, May 31, 2012 /CNW/ - On May 13^th, 2012, a traffic stop was conducted by the Kapuskasing Ontario Provincial Police on a red Dodge Caravan hauling a UHAUL trailer on Highway 11 near Harty Road in the Township of Williamson, Ontario. Further investigation led to the seizure of 30 cases of illegal unstamped cigarettes which amounts to 1,500 cartons or 300,000 illegal unstamped cigarettes. Arrested were two residents of Manitoba, 53 year old Carl Fontaine and 49 year old Robert Sinclair, who were both charged for possession of unmarked cigarettes and possession of unmarked cigarettes for the purpose of sale under the Tobacco Tax Act. Subsequently, the Sudbury RCMP Detachment charged Carl Fontaine with possession of unstamped tobacco under the Excise Act. Mr. Fontaine will appear in court on July 17^th, 2012 and Mr. Sinclair will appear on July 11^th, 2012, in Kapuskasing, Ontario. 

Although the effects of illegal tobacco activities may not be obvious, all Canadians, in one way or another,

feel the repercussions of buying and selling illegal tobacco as it:

• erodes respect for the law;
• prevents legitimate businesses from carrying out their activities in a climate of fair competition;
• encourages young people to take up smoking through unrestricted access to inexpensive cigarettes; and undermining of public health efforts to decrease tobacco use.

If anyone has any information in regards to the sale or possession of contraband tobacco, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or the Sudbury RCMP detachment at 705-671-0645.

Cpl. Alain Bonhomme
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Sudbury Federal Enforcement Section
[phone]