Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service Stop a Rental Cube Van which leads to the seizure of 650,000 Cigarettes by the Cornwall RCMP Detachment

CORNWALL, ON, May 9 – On May 8th, 2008, at 9:18 p.m., an officer from the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service stopped a 2007 GMC cube van on Brookdale Avenue in Cornwall, Ontario after following it from Akwesasne, Ontario. The officer questioned the driver at which time the driver admitted he was transporting cigarettes. Officers from the Cornwall RCMP detachment were contacted and attended the scene. The RCMP officers seized 3,250 re-sealable bags of cigarettes that are believed to be manufactured in the United States. This represents 650,000 cigarettes worth $71,500. The driver, a 45 year old male resident of Regent Road in Hawkesbury, Ontario as well as the 41 year old male passenger who is a resident of Cadieux Road in Hawkesbury, Ontario were arrested and will be charged by the RCMP under Section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped according to the Excise Act 2001. The 2 men were released and will appear at the Cornwall court on June 9th, 2008. The rental vehicle was also seized by the RCMP. Both men will also be charged by the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service for trespassing on an Indian Reserve under authority of the Indian Act.

“Working together, our police forces have more leverage and resources to fight crime” states Sgt. Michael Harvey of the RCMP.

For further information: Sgt. Michael Harvey, Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment, (613) 937-2831; Chief of Police Lewis Mitchell, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, (613) 575-2340