U.S. - Canadian law enforcement seize smuggled cigarettes..

October 11, 2009 - Vincent, NY -- U.S. and Canadian law enforcement authorities arrested five Canadians on Tuesday night and seized more than 6,400 cartons of untaxed cigarettes, State Police said today, October 9th. Two boats, four vehicles, approximately $27,000 in Canadian currency, cocaine and hashish were also seized, police said.
Map of St. Lawrence River area - Cape Vincent, New York and Wolfe Island, Ontario, Canada.

Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police, Kingston Police, New York State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Metro Jeff Drug Task Force worked together to investigate an organized group smuggling untaxed cigarettes from the Cape Vincent to Wolfe Island, Ontario, Canada.

On Tuesday, October 6th when a 20-foot boat loaded with 3,200 cartons of cigarettes was driven across the St Lawrence River to Bayfield Bay, Wolfe Island, police were waiting for them. Canadian authorities, led by the RCMP arrested four individuals, seized the cigarettes, the boat and three vehicles. A search of one of the vehicles discovered the Canadian currency.

U.S. authorities, led by New York State Police, arrested one subject, seized 3,250 cartons of cigarettes, 3.5 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of hashish and a van used to transport the cigarettes.

All together the seized cigarettes are worth approximately $130,000 Canadian. New York state tax would have been more than $98,000 on the cigarettes.

All four arrested are charged with possession of cigarettes not stamped in accordance with the Excise Act and smuggling of prohibited goods in accordance with the Customs Act. Additional charges will be forthcoming, police said, and additional arrests are pending.

Reference: U.S., Canadian authorities seize smuggled cigarettes on Wolfe Island by The Syracuse Post-Standard, 10/9/2009; Cops Crack Cape Vincent Smuggling Ring, Jefferson County Police Blotter, Written by New York State Police, 10/9/2009.
illegal, illicit, contraband

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