Suspects sought in massive cocaine seizure

Correction: This story has been corrected from an earlier version to show the date was Aug. 12, 2015 — not 2016.

CORNWALL – Members of the Cornwall Regional Task Force were able to seize 47 kilograms (104 pounds) of cocaine.

But the CRTF is asking for the public’s help in locating the suspects in the riverside seizure over a year ago near Bainsville after they were able to elude authorities.

The Mounties said people on two boats conducted the transaction on Aug. 12, 2015 in the middle of the St. Lawrence River as two large suitcases were passed from one boat to another.

When agents moved in, the three men took off heading west down the river in one boat, leaving the other behind.

The CRTF, with the help of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, tracked down the drug shipment to a marsh north of Simard Island and east of Yellow Island.

As for the suspect boat – it’s a flat-grey coloured boat – possibly a Doral or Champion make – hollowed out with the exception of one captain chair and has two white Evinrude 300 horsepower outboard motors, police said.

The last known location of the boat is the American waters via the St. Regis River.

“A cocaine seizure of this magnitude represents a major disruption to criminal organizations involved and has prevented a significant amount of drugs from reaching our streets,” CRTF Insp. Steve Ethier said.

If you have any information regarding this crime, you’re asked asked to call the CRTF at 613-937-2800 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.