RIVIERE-BEAUDETTE, Que. – Authorities say they were able to make a significant dent in the contraband trade with the latest tobacco seizure this month.
Cornwall Regional Task Force members spotted two speeding boats on the St. Lawrence River, June 2, 2016.
Working with their Quebec counterparts, officers were able to keep tabs on the boats until they landed on the shore at Riviere-Beaudette, Que.
When officers moved in, they found the 126 bags of fine cut contraband tobacco on the shoreline.
The suspects had got away before officers arrived, the RCMP said.
The tobacco weighs 1,948 kilograms (4,294 pounds) and is worth at least $175,000.
“As you can well imagine, this seizure is a significant loss for whoever organized and paid for the product they never received,” Const. Jean Jeneau said.