Cornwall, Ontario
On January 27, 2025, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at the Cornwall port of entry referred a New York-plated vehicle for secondary inspection.
Border services officers searched the vehicle and found nicotine and unmarked tobacco products with an estimated combined market value of $114,000, including:
- 2,600 cans of nicotine pouches
- 14,000 cigarillos
- 350 lbs of chewing tobacco
Border services officers seized the goods and the vehicle.
Following an investigation, CBSA criminal investigators laid multiple charges under the Customs Act and the Excise Act, including failure to report goods, making false statements, evasion of duties and taxes and smuggling.
On August 19, 2025, Corynne Laffin of Hogansburg, New York, pled guilty to unlawful possession of tobacco products, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Excise Act, 2001. Ms. Hogansburg received a fine of $50,205 in addition to a vehicle release penalty of $27,423.
CBSA investigators collaborated with the Ontario Ministry of Finance, which laid charges that resulted in an additional conviction.
In addition to damaging the Canadian economy, profits from illegal tobacco trade often help finance other organized crime activities, such as human trafficking, firearms and drug smuggling. All offenders are liable to sanctions and legal proceedings.
