Six Nations tobacco smugglers busted

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Six Nations tobacco smugglers busted

RCMP seize 14,900 cartons of contraband cigarettes in Cornwall
December 05, 2008 John Burman
CORNWALL – The RCMP says 14,900 cartons of contraband cigarettes seized at a truck inspection station Tuesday were bound for Six Nations.

A 31-year-old Hagersville man and another 53-year-old man from Ohsweken on Six Nations face charges under the Excise Act for possession of tobacco products not properly stamped.

Their names were not released.

"We believe this shipment was being transported from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec

to Six Nations located in Southern Ontario.” RCMP Sergeant Michael Harvey said in a statement Thursday.

Police say the load is worth about $327,000

RCMP in Cornwall said the pair were stopped by Ministry of Transportation (MTO) inspectors Tuesday after the westbound truck drove past the commercial vehicle inspection station on Highway 401 at Lancaster.

The MTO officers pursued the truck, pulled it over and ordered the driver back for inspection

During the inspection, the officers cardboard boxes of contraband cigarettes aboard.

Officers from the Cornwall RCMP detachment were contacted and they seized 1,950 cartons of Discount brand cigarettes: 6,250 cartons of Stones brand King Size cigarettes: 1,250 cartons of Smugglers brand King Size cigarettes and 5,450 cartons of DK's brand cigarettes.

The truck was returned to a rental company in Brantford.

Both men are to appear in Alexandria, Ont., court Jan. 7. The driver was also issued a citation for failing to stop for a commercial vehicle inspection.

"We believe that the Discount and DK's brand cigarettes seized were manufactured in the United States and smuggled into Canada and the other brands were manufactured at an illicit factory located in the Province of Quebec", Harvey said.