Nearly $500K in contraband tobacco seized at Cornwall, Ont. border this spring
The RCMP says it has seized hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of tobacco and made several arrests at the Cornwall, Ont. border crossing this spring.
Police announced Wednesday officers apprehended approximately $497,419 worth of contraband tobacco products coming into Canada from New York State between April 1 and June 30 of this year.
The products include 194,610 cigars, 214,240 cigarettes, 480 nicotine pouches, 1,100 e-cigarette vapes, and 590 cannabis vapes.
The seizures were made through the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF), made up of the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police, Canada Border Services Agency and the Ontario Ministry of Finance.
'These seizures reflect the evolving and increasingly sophisticated threats at our borders and our unwavering commitment to meet them head-on,' said Insp. Etienne Thauvette, officer in charge of the RCMP's Cornwall detachment, in a news release.
A 43-year-old man from Hogansburg, N.Y. was charged with two counts of violating the Excise Act for allegedly crossing the border with 1,100 e-cigarettes and 590 cannabis vapes on March 26.
A pair of 25- and 27-year-old men from Ohsweken, Ont. were charged under the Excise Act for allegedly possessing 150,000 unstamped cigarettes on April 4. The 25-year-old was also charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act for suspected cocaine.
A 46-year-old woman of Fort Covington, N.Y. was charged for allegedly possessing 180,000 unstamped cigars on April 4.
A 22-year-old from Stouffville, Ont. was charged under the Excise Act and Customs Act for allegedly possessing 8,610 unstamped cigars and 480 nicotine pouches on April 9.
A 23-year-old from Ajax, Ont. and a 22-year-old of Stouffville, Ont. were charged under the Excise Act for allegedly possessing 6,000 unstamped cigars on May 20.
A 69-year-old man from Cornwall, Ont. was charged for allegedly possessing 54,240 unstamped cigars on June 2.
'Revenues from contraband tobacco often support organized crime activities, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and firearms smuggling,' the RCMP said.
Anyone with information related to smuggling, drug importation, trafficking, or possession is asked to contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
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