Regional Task Force make a number of arrests

One (1) seizure in South Glengarry, Ontario;

Two (2) seizures at the Cornwall Port of Entry;

Three (3) seizures in Cornwall, Ontario

These seizures resulted in the arrest of the following eight (8) individuals who have been charged with Possession of Unstamped Tobacco, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001, and/or who are facing or have been charged under the provincial Tobacco Tax Act for possession of a tobacco product not properly stamped:

Stéphane Cardinal (age 37) from Hawkesbury, Ontario;

Evan White (age 22) from Hogansburg, NY;

Ronald Savard (age 51) from Cornwall, Ontario;

Lance Mitchell (age 31) and Herbert Mitchell (age 24), both from St. Regis, Quebec;

Elwyn Jackson (age 26) and Joseph Johnson (age 45), both from Akwesasne, Quebec;

One (1) young person (age 17), from Akwesasne, Ontario, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

On August 14th, 2011, as a result of a traffic stop in the Cornwall, Ontario area, members of the CRTF had occasion to seize name brand counterfeit clothing under authority of the Copyright Act. The clothing brands seized were Fox, Puma, Element, Harley Davidson, Baby Phat, and DC Shoe Co USA.

On the evening of August 19th, 2011, as a result of pointing a "laser" using a laser pointer, Cornwall resident Lucien Berniquer (age 27) and St. Andrew's resident Cody Groulx (age 24) each face a charge of assault with a weapon, Section 267 (a) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Police allege that Berniquer and Groulx were pointing a laser pointer at boaters on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. The CRTF indicates that much documentation exists that laser pointers can temporarily blind a victim if they are pointed at the victim's eye.

Berniquer also faces two (2) Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges for allegedly being possession of marihuana and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

The following items were seized during the above-mentioned events:

Three (3) cars, one (1) van and one (1) Sea-doo vessel;

1,750 re-sealable bags and/or cartons each containing 200 contraband cigarettes;

1.8 grams of cannabis marihuana, 10 MDMA tablets as well as related drug paraphernalia;

Various counterfeit clothing articles consisting of t-shirts and hoodies (brands previously mentioned);

Two (2) Taurus air pistols

Two (2) laser pointers

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.

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