" C" Division - News Releases

(Cornwall, Ontario, September 5, 2006) On August 30th , 2006, at 6:45 p.m., members of the Cornwall Community Police Service intercepted a 1999 Chrysler Intrepid on 9th Street in Cornwall, Ontario as a result of a drug investigation. The driver was arrested for possession of narcotics. During the vehicle search officers observed the rear seats removed and located contraband cigarettes. The illegal cigarettes and vehicle were turned over to the Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP detachment.

Located in the vehicle were 600 cartons of DK brand cigarettes with a value of $13,200. The 36 year old male driver, a resident of Sydney Street in Cornwall, Ontario will be charged by the RCMP under section 32(1) of the Excise Act 2001 (unlawful possession of a tobacco product that was not stamped in accordance with the provisions of the Excise Act 2001). The owner of the vehicle is a finance company from Pickering, Ontario.

Local law enforcement agencies often find illegal drugs and contraband cigarettes together when they perform searches. The profits from the sale of cigarettes are comparable if not more lucrative than the sale of narcotics. The demand for both products is very high in all communities. This confirms that criminals are using the sales of contraband cigarettes to finance their illegal drug activities.

-30-

Sgt. Michael Harvey
(613)937-2800 Ext. 293
Central St. Lawrence Valley RCMP Detachment