Cornwall Regional Task Force Tobacco Busts for Wednesday February 15, 2012

CFN – On January 21^st, 2012, Bradley COOKE (age 39) from Akwesasne, Ontario, was charged under the Excise Act, 2001 after being stopped at Cornwall’s Port of Entry with nineteen (19) cases of contraband cigarettes.  COOKE’s 2011 Ford F-250 pickup truck was seized.

On January 26^th, 2012, while conducting surveillance in the South Glengarry, Ontario area, members of the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) observed a vessel drop off a load of contraband along the shores of the St. Lawrence River.  As members approached the area, the vessel departed and members observed a pickup truck loaded with contraband tobacco and two males fleeing the area on foot.  A short distance away, the two males were apprehended without incident.  Adam PATAKY (age 18) and Conner THOMPSON (age 18) both from Cornwall, Ontario have been charged under Section 32(1) Excise Act, 2001.  Their conveyance, a Ford pickup, along with twenty-five (25) cases of contraband cigarettes was seized. 

On January 30^th, 2012, Ateronhiatakon Francis BOOTS (age 63) from Akwesasne, Ontario, was arrested at Cornwall’s POE on strength of an outstanding warrant for his failing to appear at his sentencing date in December 2011.  The sentencing stems from BOOTS’ October 2009 Excise Act offence.  BOOTS was held for a bail hearing.

On January 31^st, 2012, while on patrol, CRTF members observed a suspicious black truck in the city’s east end. When members attempted to stop the vehicle for further investigation, the driver of the vehicle evaded police by driving through a red light and traveled the wrong way on a one-way street. The driver, Scott Joel JULIEN (age 23) from Martintown, Ontario, jumped out of the moving vehicle and fled on foot. The vehicle came to rest, without damage, at the Bob Turner arena. The OPP K-9 unit was dispatched and after a short search, JULIEN was apprehended at a nearby residence without incident. Forty-one (41) cases of contraband cigarettes were seized along with a black GMC Sierra pickup. 

JULIEN faces the following charges as a result of his actions in this incident:  Possession of Unstamped Tobacco, Section 32(1) Excise Act, 2001, flight from police, Section 249.1(1) CC, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, Section 249(1) CC, possession of a prohibited weapon Section 91(2) CC, two (2) counts of failing to comply with conditions of his undertaking or recognizance, Section 145(3) CC, fail to stop for police, Section 159(1)(A) HTA, fail to stop at a red light, Section 144(18) HTA, drive wrong way-one way traffic, Section 153 HTA, operate motor vehicle with an unauthorized license plate, Section 12(1)(F) HTA, fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle, Section 7(5)(A) HTA, and fail to surrender insurance card, Section 3(1) CAIA.

“This incident was brought to a successful conclusion”, states Insp. Kimpan, OIC Cornwall RTF, “due to the collaborative efforts of our ongoing partnerships.”

Later this date, Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS) members received a call from a security guard at the Civic Complex, Cornwall, Ontario, advising that he had observed three (3) vehicles being loaded with tobacco from the shoreline.  CCPS responded to the complaint, however, all involved parties had fled the scene when they observed the security guard.  CRTF members attended and seized the vehicles, as they were full of contraband product.  In addition to the three (3) vehicles, a total of 32 cases of unstamped tobacco cigarettes were seized.

On February 2^nd, 2012, CRTF members observed the occupants of a vessel deliver three (3) cases of contraband cigarettes to the dock located near the Monte Carlo Motel, Cornwall, Ontario.  Members arrested the two (2) individuals on the dock, however, the vessel departed before members arrived.  In this matter, three (3) cases of contraband cigarettes were seized along with a vehicle.  As these individuals have not yet been formally charged, their names are being withheld.

Later that day, further to an investigation conducted by CBSA officials at Cornwall’s POE, Alaina POINT (age 24) and Aaneva LAZORE (age 20), both from Cornwall, Ontario, were found to be in possession of twelve (1.75 litre) bottles of unlawfully imported liquor.  Upon notification by CBSA, CRTF members attended the POE, seized the liquor and arrested both females.  Along with the liquor, their vehicle was seized as a conveyance. Both face charges under Section 88(1) of the Excise Act, 2001.

The individuals noted above, who have been charged under the provisions of the Excise Act 2001, also face charges under the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possession of unmarked cigarettes.

The CRTF is a joint forces partnership that includes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency, Ontario Provincial Police, Ontario Ministry of Finance and the Cornwall Community Police Service. 

The CRTF continues to address the complaints of suspicious activity observed by local residents.  If anyone notices suspicious activity, they are urged to please contact the CRTF at 613-937-2800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.