CRTF Operation Leads to 1.2 Ton Contraband
Seizure and Arrest of Four Individuals
CORNWALL ONTARIO – During the early morning hours of December 7, 2016, the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) joined by the RCMP Valleyfield and Sûreté du Québec (SQ) observed a boat attend the shoreline in St-Anicet, QC area where garbage bags were unloaded. Subsequently, the bags were moved to a nearby cottage as the boat departed westbound on the St. Lawrence River.
As officers approached to further investigate, those involved in the crime attempted to flee on foot. Mathieu LAUZON (age 21) and Marie Pasquale JOLIN (age 22) from Coteau-du-Lac, QC, and Antoine VINCENT (age 21) and Dylan VALIQUETTE (age 20) from St-Martine, QC were arrested without incident a short time later for being in possession of 1223 kilograms of contraband fine cut tobacco.
LAUZON has been held in custody since his arrest as he was found breaching conditions of his Probation Order. His next bail hearing will take place on January 19, 2017 at the Valleyfield Provincial Court. The three other accused were released on a Promise to Appear in Valleyfield Provincial Court on March 8, 2017.
Photo: file photo – not of actual seizure