CRTF Seeking Public Info Regarding a 2015 High Speed River Chase and The Discovery of 47 Kilos of Cocaine–“The cocaine was found packaged in water tight, numbered uniform bricks, leading police to believe the suspects hoped to later recover.”

Bainsville, ON- November 21, 2016, the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) released a public statement in regards to an unsolved mystery exchange that took place on the Saint Lawrence River on August 15^th, 2015; which led to a high speed chase and the discovery of 47 kilos of cocaine.  Investigators are now seeking the public’s help for information.

During a routine marine patrol the CRTF witnessed an exchange along the Saint Lawrence River between two vessels; one is described as a large, painted flat grey, and completely hollowed out with one captain’s chair.  The boat was powered by two white Evinrude 300 horsepower outboard motors, with two men on board.  The second vessel was an 18-foot Lund fishing boat, with a single man on board.

As the officers approached the vessels, all three men jumped into the grey boat and sped off into the west into US waters, to where police believe they passed through Akwesasne via the St. Regis River.  The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service also aided in this search.

RCMP Constable Jean Juneau of the Cornwall based anti-smuggling task force said in a statement that, “They hopped into the fasted boat so all could escape together and they left the other boat, the fishing boat, behind, adrift.  With that kind of horsepower behind it, we were following at a distance.”

The fishing boat was followed into a marshy area north of Simard Island and east of Yellow Island, where the CRTF discovered two suitcases containing 47 kilos of cocaine in the weed beds.  The cocaine was found packaged in water tight, numbered uniform bricks, leading police to believe the suspects hoped to later recover.  The abandoned Lund boat was also later recovered.

Investigators are currently seeking any information regarding the suspect boat, which is described as a pleasure-craft style boat, possibly a Doral or Champion make that is painted flat grey with two white Evinrude 300 horsepower outboard motors.  There have been no descriptions of any of the three men.

The quantity seized prompts investigators to believe that this interaction is undoubtedly linked to organized crime.  Insp. Steven Ethier, CRTF officer in charge of this task force stated that, “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.”

The Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) is a joint forces partnership that includes the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the Ontario Ministry of Finance (OMF).

For anyone wishing to report any type of suspicious behavior, or criminal activity regarding this investigation, or any other activity may call the RCMP Cornwall Detachment at (613) 937-2800 or 1-866-284-4404.  You may also provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

BY: Ohseraseia:hawi