CRTF – Illegal Tobacco Busts During the Holidays! January 6, 2011 – Cornwall Ontario

Cornwall ON – Members of the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) were very busy during the holiday season.  The CRTF arrested 24 individuals; executed four (4) search warrants and provided assistance to CBSA Cornwall Port of Entry as well as the OPP.

This resulted in several contraband tobacco seizures being effected in the following areas between December 10^th and January 4^th 2011:

• 2 seizures in Cornwall, Ontario
• 8 seizures in South Glengarry, Ontario
• 3 seizures at the Cornwall Port of Entry.

These seizures resulted in the arrests of the following 12 individuals who were charged with possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped in accordance with the federal Excise Act, 2001 and/or under authority of the provincial Tobacco Tax Act.:

A young male (aged 17), who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, from Akwesasne, Quebec;

A young female (aged 17), who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, from Cornwall Island, Ontario;

Alain Farley (aged 28) and Ronald McHarg (aged 42) both from Cornwall, Ontario were also charged with failing to comply with their probation orders and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence;

Aaron Campeau (aged 28) from Cornwall, Ontario, was also charged with failing to comply with his probation order;

Bower Featherstone (aged 71) from Cornwall Ontario;

Christopher Fontaine (aged 41) from Glen Walter, Ontario;

Morgan Boots (aged 19) from Cornwall Island, Ontario;

Casey Leaf (aged 19) from Akwesasne, Ontario;

The following three (3) individuals were also charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence under the Criminal Code of Canada;

Shane Barbe (aged 34) from Cornwall, Ontario;

Scott Parisien (aged 22) from Cornwall, Ontario;

Brandon Sylvester (aged 37) from Cornwall, Ontario;

In addition Parisien was also charged with failing to comply with an undertaking under the Criminal Code;  Sylvester was charged with failing to comply with an undertaking and failing to comply with his probation order under the Criminal Code;

ALSO, these seizures resulted in the arrests of 12 other individuals who will be facing charges under the federal Excise Act, 2001 and/or the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped and/or possession of drugs under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act:

One (1) from St. Leonard Quebec;

Two (2) from St. Regis Quebec;

One (1) from Hogansburg, New York;

One (1) from Woodstock, Ontario;

Two (2) from Akwesasne, Ontario;

Four (4) from Cornwall, Ontario;

One (1) from Williamstown, Ontario;

Items Seized:

– 14 vehicles described as a 2003 Chevrolet Venture; 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier; a 2004  Ford Pick-up F-150; a 2001 Ford Explorer; a 1994 Chevrolet Pick-up; a 1996 Pontiac  Sunfire; two (2) 2002 Polaris Edge XC Snowmobiles; a 2000 GMC Safari van; a  2002 Chevrolet Silverado Pick-up; a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix; a 2002 Chevrolet Trail  Blazer;

– One (1) 2005 Peterbuilt tractor and trailer;

– One (1) Crown fork lift;

– Two (2) Super Baggan trailers

– Over 5 kgs of cannabis marihuana;

– One (1) vessel described as a flat-hulled boat with a 25 HP Mercury outboard motor;

– 44,310 re-sealable bags and cartons each containing approximately 200 contraband                                                                                                                                 cigarettes;

– 500 cartons each containing approximately 200 contraband cigars;

– $400 US dollars

Cst. Juneau further stated: The CRTF works hard to make our communities a safer place to live however, your assistance in staying vigilant and informing us of these suspicious activities will help us in being even more successful.  You can contact the CRTF at 613-937-2800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The CRTF is a joint forces partnership including the RCMP, CBSA, OPP, MOR and CCPS