THE CORNWALL REGIONAL TASK FORCE ARRESTS 12 INDIVIDUALS FOR POSSESSION OF
CONTRABAND TOBACCO

CORNWALL, ON, Nov. 26 /CNW/ - The Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) made several contraband tobacco seizures in the following regions between November 11^th and November 25^th 2010:

• 5 seizures in Cornwall, Ontario
• 2 seizures in South Glengarry, Ontario
• 1 seizure in South Stormont, Ontario

These seizures resulted in the arrest of the following six (6) individuals who were charged with the following offences:

A young Female aged 17, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, from Akwesasne, Quebec, was 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;

Francis Desnoyers (age 25) from Notre Dame des Prairies, Quebec was 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;

Jaimee Lee Square (age 31) from Akwesasne, Ontario was 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;

Steven Seymour (age 21) of Hogansburg, New York was 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; also charged under the Criminal Code of Canada for failing to comply with a probation order;

Mark White (age 22) of Hogansburg, New York was 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;

Christopher Lee Clarke (age 24) of Cornwall was 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;

ALSO, these seizures resulted in the arrest of seven (7) other individuals who will be facing charges under the federal Excise Act 2001 and/or the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped:

6 from Cornwall, Ontario;
1 from South Stormont, Ontario;

Items Seized:

• 7 vehicles described as a 2001 Ford Windstar; 1999 Dodge Ram pick-up truck 1500; a 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche pick-up; a 2003 Ford Explorer; a 2000 Cadillac Deville; a 2004 Ford Taurus; a 2006 Chevrolet Uplander
• (one) 1 1999, 7.16 meter Atlas trailer;
• (one) 1 vessel described as a flat hulled boat with a 25 HP Mercury outboard motor;                   
• 14,250 re-sealable bags and cartons each containing approximately 200 contraband cigarettes
• 3,633 kilograms of fine cut tobacco

Cst Juneau further stated: The CRTF works hard to make our communities a safer place to live however, your assistance in staying vigilant and informing us of these suspicious activities will help us in being even more successful.  You can contact the CRTF at 613-937-2800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The CRTF is a joint forces partnership including the RCMP, CBSA, OPP, MOR and CCPS

For further information:

Cst. Jean Juneau  Cornwall Regional Task Force  613-937-2831

Sgt. Kristine Rae Ontario Provincial Police 613-285-5479