(TYENDINAGA TWP, ON) – On December 15, 2020 at approximately 2:00 p.m., officers of the Lennox and Addington (L&A) County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) observed a vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Highway 401 in Tyendinaga Township.
The vehicle was stopped and while speaking with the driver, the officer observed what appeared to be unmarked tobacco products within the vehicle. The investigating officers engaged the assistance of the Ministry of Finance with respect to the tobacco products. Roughly 14,000 cigars, with an estimated value of $52,000, were seized along with marijuana, credit cards, a driver’s licence and a hunting knife. The vehicle itself was also seized and impounded.
Charankan KIRUBAHARAN, age 18, of Stouffville has been charged with:
- Trafficking in Contraband Tobacco contrary to the Criminal Code (C.C.) – Sec 121.1;
- Failure to comply with release order contrary to the C.C. – Sec 145(5)(a);
- Possession of a Stolen Credit Card contrary to the C.C. -Sec 342(1)(c);
- Possession of an identity document contrary to the C.C. – Sec 56.1;
- Possessing Cannabis for the purpose of selling contrary to the Cannabis Act (C.A.) -Sec 10(2);
- Possession of over 30g of dried Cannabis in a public place contrary to the C.A. – Sec 8(1)(a);
- Unlawful purchase of Cannabis contrary to the Cannabis Control Act 2017 (C.C.A.) – Sec 9(1);
- Person under 19 years in possession of cannabis contrary to the C.C.A. 2017 – Sec 10(1);
- Drive vehicle with cannabis in open baggage contrary to the C.C.A. 2017 – Sec 12(1);
- Possession of untaxed cigars and other tobacco contrary to the Tobacco Tax Act – Sec 29.1(2);
- Possession for the Purpose of resale contrary to the T.T.A. – sec 29.1(2.0.1); and
- Speeding contrary to the Highway Traffic Act – Sec 128
The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Greater Napanee on February 23, 2021.
The investigation remains ongoing by the L&A County OPP and the Ministry of Finance.