SHERBROOKE and GRANBY, Que. — Two drivers and one trucking company are facing charges for smuggling nearly 30,000 kg of tobacco across the US-Canada border in two separate incidents.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) made the first seizure in late September when Eric Landry, a driver based in Sainte-Martine, Que., was crossing at Stanstead Highway 55. According to a CBSA report, while inspecting the trailer, border services officers "discovered that it was full of boxes emitting a strong tobacco smell," resulting in officers impounding 14,775 kg of loose tobacco in 132 boxes.
CBSA says, "Not declaring this tobacco means that an amount of more than $1.6 million in federal duties and taxes was attempted to be evaded."
Yesterday, Landry appeared in court in Sherbrooke on charges under the Customs Act of making false or deceptive statements to a border services officer, and attempting to smuggle into Canada goods that are subject to duties or for which importation is prohibited, controlled or regulated.
A very similar incident also took place in late November, when JeanFrançois Beaulieu, a resident of Saint–Césaire, Que., crossed Armand/Philipsburg with his tractor-trailer. Once again, "border services officers discovered that the trailer was in fact full of boxes emitting a strong tobacco smell," which led to the seizure of 14,369 kg loose tobacco, also packed into 132 boxes. CBSA calculates that the taxes and duties value of this shipment was also $1.6 million.
Yesterday, in a Granby, Que. court, charges were laid against Beauliea, and his company Transport Jean-François Beaulieu. They are accused of making false or deceptive statements to a border services officer, attempting to evade lawfully payable duties and taxes, and attempting to smuggle into Canada goods that are subject to duties or for which importation is prohibited, controlled or regulated. They are also facing charges under the 2001 Excise Act of possessing unstamped tobacco products.
According to Benoît Chiquette, regional director-general of the CBSA, Quebec Region, there are multiple reasons why the agency takes tobacco smuggling seriously.
“Besides posing a threat to public health, the illicit tobacco market is very attractive to organized crime. Border services officers and CBSA investigators work tirelessly to disrupt criminal activities associated with the illicit tobacco trade.”
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The “hurricane” was kind of a bust. If you were up there in the rain and wind getting a load, I applaud you. Maybe the place you were at had a backup generator and continued to work. It doesn’t appear as though what was left of the storm lasted long. As soon as the “thing” blew over Washington DC, the 
Light after the tornado - credit Lindsay Godfree
Storm clouds - credit Lindsay Godfree
AP 
Southern Hospitality - credit Lindsay Godfree
Launch Pad closes at 2 - credit Lindsay Godfree
Apollo lunar lander trainer - credit Lindsay Godfree
Southern antebellum interiors - credit Lindsay Godfree
Bust of Abraham Lincoln overlooking I-80 in Wyoming -photo Lindsay Godfree
Henry Bourne Joy memorial - photo Lindsay Godfree
I don’t care very much for all these “shows” about trucks. Maybe they all hit too close to home for me. I get way too stressed when I watch the one where they drive on ice and snow all the time. Been there done that. 
The two shows I watched last night focused in on “Bo” or “Bo Bo” – Bo Malpass, one of the logger truckers, actually one of the swamp logger truckers. One big happy family. Trying to move 100+ loads a week to stay in business. I personally want the job of the cutter or saw-er, who bulldozes his way through the forest or swamp and uses a 9000 lbs. saw claw device to rip trees from their roots. That’s the job for me. Leave the truck driving to someone else, like Bo-Bo.
“Ragtown” was the precursor to present day Boulder City. It was a shanty town of tents, cardboard and anything else that would shelter the workers and their families from the extreme temperatures. The pay was low, the work conditions were extreme but they were “DAM HAPPY” to have a chance for a job while so many others in the United States were suffering from the consequences of “The Great Depression.”
The Hoover Dam was a fantastic job creation program which founded a town and an economy that continues to thrive in a place few would ever venture if not for this project. It is a gift that keeps giving!
An estimated 750,000 people are jammed around Cape Canaveral and the surrounding towns of Florida for a glimpse of the final shuttle launch. The crowds are reminiscent of the people that gathered for the Apollo moon shots, just to be there to see history in the making. It may be the last space shuttle launch but it doesn’t mean you can’t go to the Kennedy Space Center there and get nostalgic about the space program that took astronauts to the moon.
From exit 215 travel (east) onto SR 50, then turn right (east) on to SR 405 and follow the signs for Kennedy Space Center. You will travel approximately 11 miles on SR 405. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is located on your right. They also have bus parking that can accommodate a truck at the Visitors Center and they were very kind about it.
The exhibits, movies, interactive tours and even the gift shop made it a memorable stop and one that all those who enjoy outer space and dream about space travel should take the opportunity to see if you find yourself trucking down Florida’s I-95.
For a great steak dinner stop at the Durango Steak House Restaurant also located at Exit 215 just east of the truck stop at the Best Western. You can park in the lot next to McDonalds or walk from the truck stop. They also serve good fish and ribs but take a jacket; they have the air-conditioning on high in there. There is a Wal-Mart at this exit but crowded with also but there is not much room there for parking.
There is no doubt that truck parking is an issue for anyone who spends their life on the road, be it truckers, travelers or commuters — trucks are everywhere. It is estimated that 2 million tractor trailer trucks operate in the U.S. with over 3.5 million truck drivers. Further estimates indicate that over the next 9 years another 2 million trucks will be on the road. Already a big problem, the places to park are shrinking rather than increasing as rest areas are being closed due to budget cuts. Where are all the big-rigs going to park when their hours of service are expired and mandatory hours of rest are required by law?
“What needs to happen is that government needs to reduce or eliminate the regulations and prohibitions that prevent private business from building commercial truck stops in the places where they are most needed. That is the solution to more safe parking for large trucks, not government involvement.” quote from truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/jasons-law
Truckers have always been a patriotic bunch and many have served their country in military service. As a group, truckers get involved in supporting many charitable causes. It is no surprise that a large trucking company such as US Xpress would take up the gauntlet for the Wounded Warrior Project.
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