CORNWALL – CRIME BEAT – On the afternoon of August 12, 2015, while on marine patrol in the Bainsville area of the St. Lawrence River, the Cornwall Regional Task Force’s (CRTF) marine unit observed a large grey boat, occupied by two individuals, traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed.
This boat was followed to the center of the river near a channel marker where it met with an 18 foot Lund fishing boat occupied by one individual. An exchange of suitcases occurred between the boats. When the marine unit moved in to investigate, all three males departed westbound at a high rate of speed in the grey boat, leaving the Lund boat adrift. The suspect boat was followed westbound at a distance and the assistance of the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS) was requested. The grey boat was followed into a marshy area located north of Simard Island and east of Yellow Island, where two suitcases containing 47 kilograms of cocaine were retrieved from the weed beds.
The suspect boat is described as a pleasure craft style, possibly a Doral or Champion make; painted flat grey; completely hollowed out with exception of one captain chair and powered by two white Evinrude 300 horsepower outboard motors.
CRTF members assisted by the AMPS marine unit continued their search of the area in an attempt of locating the suspect vessel. It is believed it continued west into US waters via the St. Regis River.
The abandoned Lund boat was retrieved and seized by police for its involvement in this drug transaction.
The CRTF are continuing to investigate this crime in an effort in identifying those involved and bringing them to justice.
“The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service’s officers work tirelessly to reduce the amount of harmful drugs reaching Akwesasne. This is another example of how the Police Service works effectively with area agencies to keep drugs out of our communities”, stated Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service Chief of Police Jerry Swamp.
“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”, stated Insp. Steve Ethier, OIC of the CRTF.
If you have any information regarding this crime, 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 that includes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police and the Ontario Ministry of Finance. We would like to thank the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service for their assistance and support on this investigation.
