Contraband Tobacco Raids Nets Seven in Arrests thus far
Investigations led the Sûreté du Québec and associate Police forces to arrest seven people on charges related to the distribution of contraband tobacco.
Raids took place on December 1st in the Haut-Saint-Laurent and Beauharnois-Salaberry regions approximately 45 mins +/- from Chateauguay.
Miscellanous charges were laid in regard to for the transportation, delivery and distribution of tobacco smuggling.
More arrests are said to be coming and two people were allegedly still being sought according to the Sûreté communiqué.
Authorities said that that these people are suspected to have formed an alleged contraband related network with perhaps a woman who was reported to be a 51 year old from Beauharnois.
She also is said to be among those arrested.
The network allegedly participated in the transportation, delivery and distribution of contraband tobacco in bulk for a period of about two months. Police seized more than 2,800 kg of contraband tobacco in bulk , in addition to six vehicles that were allegedly used by members of the purported "organization".
Court appearances for some of the suspects had been held December1st, at the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield courthouse, with some perhaps facing charges under section 121.1 of the Criminal Code.
Members of the police services of the cities of Châteauguay and Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, the Régie Intermunicipal Richelieu-Saint-Laurent and the Sûreté du Québec participated conjointly in the investigation, and/or apprehension of these suspects thus far.
The Sûreté du Québec said in their communiqué that they would like to remind citizens that If you witness illegal trade or smuggling activities, you can report information confidentially to their criminal information hotline at 1-800-659-4264
Article Information sourced via the Communiqué/Communications Department of the Sûreté du Québec.