Cornwall, Ontario
On February 12, 2026, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)-led initiative, in partnership with the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) and Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, resulted in the arrest of two suspects, along with the significant seizure of contraband products and an associated vehicle.
Multiple indicators consistent with illicit activity led CBSA officers to suspect that a black pickup truck was involved in contraband smuggling. Members of the CRTF conducted a stop of the vehicle in Cornwall, Ontario where they seized the contraband products and proceeded to arrest both occupants without incident.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigators seized the following:
- 7,160 tins of nicotine pouches with an estimated retail value of $198,815
- 945 boxes of Blackwood Cigars with an estimated retail value of $131,544
The vehicle was also seized as part of the investigation.
As a result of the seizures, Kyden Jacobs (21) of Hogansburg, New York and Sakyah Diabo (19) of Akwesasne, Ontario were arrested for unlawful possession of unstamped tobacco contrary to Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001. They also face three additional offences:
- Evasion of duties, contrary to section 153(c) of the Customs Act
- Possession of illegally imported goods, contrary to section 155 of the Customs Act
- Smuggling, contrary to section 159(1) of the Customs Act
Both individuals were released on an Undertaking and are due to appear in court on March 26, 2026. The charges have not yet been tested or proven in court.
The CRTF is a joint task force made up of the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police, the CBSA and the Ontario Ministry of Finance. We work closely with our trusted U.S. partners to combat crime on both sides of the border.
