THE CORNWALL REGIONAL TASK FORCE ARRESTS 11 INDIVIDUALS FOR POSSESSION OF
CONTRABAND TOBACCO

CORNWALL, ON, Nov. 10 /CNW/ - The Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) made and assisted in several contraband tobacco seizures in the following regions between October 21st, 2010 and November 9th, 2010:

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

These seizures resulted in the arrest of 9 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:

          1 from Cornwall, Ontario;
          2 from South Glengarry, Ontario;
          2 from Akwesasne, Ontario;
          3 from South Dundas, Ontario;
          1 from Russell, Ontario

And

Also resulted in the arrest of the following 2 individuals who were charged with the following offences:

Jason Durnion (age 37) from Cornwall, Ontario charged under the federal Excise Act 2001 and faces a charge under the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped;

Alexander George (age 23) from Cornwall, Ontario charged under the federal Excise Act 2001; failing to comply with an undertaking; driving while disqualified; possession of property obtained by crime; operation of a motor vehicle while being pursued by police; and faces a charge under the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped

Items Seized:

• 8 vehicles described as a 2004 Ford F-150 pick-up truck; a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado; a 1997 Dodge Ram; a 2000 Pontiac Grand AM; a 2005 Chevrolet Equinox; a 2002 Chevrolet Impala; a 2005 Chevrolet CTA Tahoe; a 2003 GMC Yukon
• 2 vessels described as a 4.88 metre boat with a 65 HP Johnson outboard motor; a Sea-Doo Challenger 1800 ski boat 
• 11,788 re-sealable bags and cartons each containing 200 contraband cigarettes
• 14 kilograms of fine cut tobacco
• 90 tin's of Skoal Long Cut chewless tobacco for a total of 3 kilograms
• 27 grams of marihuana
• $1,230 Canadian currency

During this period, the CRTF assisted the Canada Border Services Agency, Cornwall Community Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police who located contraband cigarettes during their investigations.  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  Cornwall Regional Task Force  613-937-2831

Cst. Joel Doiron Ontario Provincial Police 613-360-1375