ARCHIVED - Minister Toews commends law enforcement agencies for arrests in alleged cross border smuggling ring
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Cornwall, ON September 27, 2012 – The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety made the following statement following a joint press conference by law enforcement agencies on the results of the Project OStone Investigation.
"Cross border smugglers and organized criminals endanger the safety of our families and communities. I commend the numerous enforcement agencies involved in this investigation on their hard work and cooperation. These arrests are testament to our Government's strong resolve towards tackling crime."
As a result of a 12 month investigation, 12 individuals from the Cornwall area and Akwesasne Mohawk Territory were charged with offences related to participation in a criminal organization, smuggling of cigarettes as well as trafficking in firearms and marihuana. A total of 82 criminal charges have been laid in addition to 115 provincial charges under the Ontario Tobacco Tax Act. The investigation was led by the RCMP's Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), which is comprised of members from the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS), the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS) and the Ontario Ministry of Finance. The CFSEU also worked seamlessly with the Massena Border Enforcement Security Taskforce (BEST) to bring this investigation to fruition.
For more information on the arrests, visit the RCMP website http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/on/news-nouvelles/2012/12-09-27-cornwall-eng.htm
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Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
Julie Carmichael
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2865
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