(North Stormont, Ontario - August 25th, 2008) –Three vehicles stopped by the Ontario Provincial Police in two days has lead to the RCMP seizure of 3,000 resealable bags of contraband cigarettes which represents 600,000 cigarettes estimated to be worth $66,000. It is believed that the cigarettes were manufactured in the United States and smuggled into Canada.

On August 20th, 2008 at 8:40 p.m., O.P.P. officers stopped a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix and a 2001 Chevrolet Impala on Highway 401 eastbound in South Glengarry, Ontario.  Officers located contraband cigarettes in the trunks of both vehicles and contacted the Cornwall RCMP to assist. RCMP officers seized 1,000 resealable bags of cigarettes from the two vehicles and questioned the female drivers ages 20 and 26, both residents of Akwesasne, Ontario.  The 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix estimated to be worth $11,500 and the 2001 Chevrolet Impala estimated to be worth $5,375 were also seized, the investigation continues. 

On August 21st, 2008, at 10:48 p.m., an O.P.P. officer was following a 1997 Dodge Caravan on County Road 12 northbound near Finch, Ontario when an SUV appeared to be attempting to block the officer’s vehicle by slowing him down while the Dodge Caravan sped away.  When the officer caught up and stopped the Dodge Caravan in Chrysler, Ontario, the driver had fled on foot.  The officer found the van to contain contraband cigarettes and the Cornwall RCMP were called to assist.  RCMP officers seized 2,000 resealable bags of contraband cigarettes as well as the van estimated to be valued at $3,000.  This investigation also continues. 

“In the Cornwall-Akwesasne corridor, the RCMP has formed a partnership with the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, Cornwall Community Police Service, Canada Border Services Agency, Ontario Provincial Police, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, United States Border Patrol and the United States Coast Guard to combat smuggling” said Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP.  “Coordinated actions by these partners have resulted in a number of significant illegal tobacco seizures.”