(CORNWALL, ON) – Police have arrested four people after a traffic stop revealed eight individuals concealed in the rear of the vehicle destined for the United States (US).
An ongoing joint forces operation led by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), with assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Investigations, and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service (AMPS), revealed evidence for a traffic stop under the Excise Act. On January 7, 2025, members from OPP BEST and the RCMP conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the City of Cornwall travelling in the direction of the CBSA port of entry. Officers located eight individuals concealed in the back of the vehicle and subsequently charged the driver and passenger of the vehicle under the Criminal Code (CC). Further investigation revealed another two suspect vehicles, which led to the arrest of an additional two individuals.
Charles EDWARDS, age 58 of Akwesasne, George TOOKER, age 54 of Akwesasne, Ngoc Dung LE, age 52 of Brossard, Quebec and Huu Huan NGUYEN, age 43 of Anjou, Quebec have each been charged with conspiracy to violate US law, s. 465(3) CC.
The four accused were released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cornwall on February 25, 2025.
The investigation is currently ongoing. The eight individuals found concealed within the vehicle were arrested and charges may be laid if applicable.
If you have any information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.
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