From: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
THUNDER BAY, ON, Dec. 15, 2016 /CNW/ – On December 2nd, 2016, two males travelling from Montreal to Vancouver took a wrong turn and found themselves entering the United States (USA) at the Grand Portage, Minnesota, Port of Entry. United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) refused them entry into the USA and sent them back to Canada via the Pigeon River Port of Entry.
Upon re-entering Canada the individuals advised Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers that they had a large quantity of tobacco located in their travel trailer. During secondary examination CBSA officers located and seized 25 boxes containing 1250 cartons of unstamped cigarettes and the travel trailer. CBSA turned over the seized items to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of Thunder Bay Detachment for further investigation.
Julien PELLETIER, 36 years old from Kamloops, British Columbia was arrested and released on a Promise to Appear. He was charged with Possession of Unstamped Tobacco contrary to the Excise Act and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on February 3, 2017.
Although the effects of contraband tobacco activities are not obvious, all Canadians, in one way or another, feel the repercussions of these activities in the form of:
- The loss of millions in federal and provincial government revenues.
- Undermining of public health efforts to decrease tobacco use.
- Prevent legitimate business from carrying out their activities in a climate of fair competition.
- Funding for organized crime groups.
“The RCMP places a high priority on the interdiction of contraband tobacco,” says Staff Sergeant Normand Roy, Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of Thunder Bay Detachment. “This interdiction truly exemplifies the detailed and thorough work that CBSA and RCMP officers do every day to protect Canada and keep our streets safe.”
If you have any information regarding criminal activity in your area, please contact the RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, your local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
