THE CORNWALL REGIONAL TASK FORCE ARRESTS 10 INDIVIDUALS FOR POSSESSION OF
CONTRABAND TOBACCO

CORNWALL, ON, Oct. 21 /CNW/ - The Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) made and assisted in several contraband tobacco seizures in the following regions between October 5th, 2010 and October 20th, 2010:

• 4 seizures in Cornwall, Ontario
• 1 seizure at the Cornwall Port of Entry
• 2 seizures in South Glengarry, Ontario
• 1 seizure in Akwesasne, Ontario
• 1 seizure in South Dundas, Ontario

These seizures resulted in the arrest of 8 individuals who face charges under the federal Excise Act 2001 and/or the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped:

5 from Cornwall, Ontario;
2 from Akwesasne, Ontario;
1 from Ottawa, Ontario

And

Also resulted in the arrest of the following 2 individuals who were charged under the federal Excise Act 2001 and each face a charge under the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped:

Sterling David Oakes (age 18) from Akwesasne, Ontario;
Chantale Moise (age 30) from Cornwall, Ontario

Items Seized:

• 8 vehicles described as a 1997 Ford Expedition; a 2006 Hyundai GTL; a 2002 Chevrolet Explorer van; a 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser; a 2001 Volkswagon Golf; a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix; a 2010 Chevrolet Savana van; a 1976 Winnebago motor home
• 2 vessels described as a 4.88 metre fibreglass boat with a 15 HP outboard Mariner motor; a fibreglass boat with an outboard motor
• 1 boat trailer
• 19,773 re-sealable bags each containing 200 contraband cigarettes
• $605 Canadian currency

During this period, the CRTF assisted the Cornwall Community Police Service who located contraband cigarettes near the local soccer fields. The CRTF also assisted the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service who stopped a vehicle for a Highway Traffic Act violation in Akwesasne, Ontario and discovered the vehicle to contain contraband cigarettes.  Finally, the CRTF assisted the Canada Border Services Agency who discovered contraband cigarettes during a vehicle inspection at the Cornwall Port of Entry.  If anyone notices suspicious activity, please contact the CRTF at 613-937-2800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

For further information:

Sgt. Michael Harvey	Sgt. Kristine Rae
Cornwall Regional Task Force	Ontario Provincial Police
613-937-2831	613-285-5479