Akwesasne a focal point: RCMP
Jump to full article: [Cornwall, Ont] Standard Freeholder (ca), 2008-05-08
Author: Michael Peeling
Intro: The Ministry of Public Safety plans a more aggressive approach to cutting out the illegal tobacco trade through a new RCMP strategy and task force, announced Minister Stockwell Day Wednesday.
Local RCMP Sgt. Michael Harvey said the most important part of the announcement was the attention it would bring the contraband cigarette and tobacco trade from the politicians and the public.
Harvey said the majority of the illegal tobacco smuggled into Canada makes its way through Akwesasne territory.
“It’s more important in Cornwall than in big cities because the smuggling doesn’t affect them as much,” Harvey said. “Our small population sees the effects more. Two-thirds of the organized crime groups in tobacco smuggling also deal in drug trafficking and one-third engage in violent crime.”
RCMP officials hope to eventually stop the trade of illicit tobacco across the country through the Contraband Tobacco Enforcement Strategy and a multi-jurisdictional task force because Day says tobacco smuggling cannot be seen as a victimless, particularly with the escalation of activity since 2001.
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