The RCMP has rounded up suspects in an alleged contraband tobacco ring working out of Akwesasne, an aboriginal reserve that straddles the U.S.-Canadian border near Cornwall, Ontario. Investigators say they believe the products were making their way into Quebec via the South Shore Mohawk reserve of Kahnawake.
Arrest warrants were issued for 16 men and women, mainly in Quebec including Boisbriand, Kahnawake and St-Eustache, plus Hogansburg in New York State and Lancaster, Ontario. The accused range in age from 21 to 61.
They appear in Valleyfield court today to face several charges including possession of unstamped tobacco products
RCMP Corporal Erique Gasse said they believe over 150 deliveries by boat were identified during the investigation.
"Primarily from the Akwesasne territory in New York State to the Kahnawake territory in Montérégie via the St. François Lake waterway," said Gasse.
Project Cendrier - targetting contraband tobacco as well as marijuana and cocaine smuggling- began last summer with 30 arrests to date.