With the help of three levels of police, more than half a million contraband cigarettes worth a combined $60,000 were confiscated in one day last week.
Wednesday, July 2, an afternoon traffic stop by an OPP officer resulted in the seizure of 200,000 contraband cigarettes worth an estimated $22,000.
While questioning a female driver about her expired driver's licence, the OPP officer noticed the strong smell of tobacco coming from her truck.
Two residents from Akwesasne, Ont. face charges for possession of tobacco products not properly stamped.
Later the same day, an attempted vehicle stop by a member of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service resulted in the seizure of 350,000 cigarettes.
Around 10:30 p.m., an Akwesasne Mohawk Police officer saw three vehicles go through a stop sign. When the officer attempted to stop the first vehicle, a 2008 Dodge pick-up truck, the drivers of the other two vehicles interfered by slowing down in front of the police vehicle.
The pick-up truck was later abandoned after a collision with another vehicle in Cornwall. The driver then fled the scene on foot.
RCMP from Cornwall seized the truck and cigarettes, which were in plastic bags. The cigarettes are worth about $38,500.
It is believed that the cigarettes from both busts were manufactured in the U.S. and smuggled into Canada.
