BAINSVILLE, Ontario – Early on January 26, 2017, the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) received information that suspicious activity was taking place at a shoreline property in Bainsville, Ontario. With the assistance of the Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry (SDG) Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), 176 kilograms of fine cut tobacco and five (5) cases containing 250 cartons of unstamped cigarettes were located and seized at the scene.
The following day, the OPP received information that suspicious activity was taking place at the exact same location. OPP officers attended the location and arrested Eric DEMANCHE (aged 41) of Saint-Rémi, Quebec who was found in possession of 15 cases of illegal cigarettes. DEMANCHE was turned over to the CRTF and was charged under the provisions of the Excise Act, 2001, and the Ontario Tobacco Tax Act. DEMANCHE was also charged with Section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code for breaching his probation order. A 2012 Ford F150 pickup truck was also seized.
DEMANCHE was released on his own recognizance and undertaking and is due to appear in Cornwall Provincial Court on February 28th, 2017.
"I wish to thank our SDG OPP partners for their assistance." stated Sgt. Garry Belair, CRTF’s acting Ops NCO i/c, “Our continued collaboration enables us to coordinate our efforts in curbing illegal activities."
If you have any information regarding criminal activity in your area, you can contact the CRTF at 1-613-937-2800 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477
The CRTF is a joint forces partnership led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and includes the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ontario Ministry of Finance.
