A Niagara regional police officer facing multiple allegations of misconduct under the Police Services Act, including smuggling cheese, has resigned. Const. Scott Heron was charged with criminal offences related to the illegal importation of goods into Canada in 2012 and was subsequently suspended from duty. He was convicted in 2015 and sentenced to a period of incarceration and was also suspended without pay at that time, which continued until the time of his resignation, July 7. 

The scam involved individuals jamming cases of “brick” cheese — used as a common pizza topping — into their vehicles to smuggle across the border and resell to Canadian pizzerias and restaurants. With U.S. cheese being as little as one-third the price it is in Canada, drivers are making $1,000 to $2,000 a trip, according to numerous sources.

Authorities say more than $200,000 worth of food was purchased, and sold at a profit of more than $165,000, according to investigations by a leading TV channel. At the time a chief’s complaint investigation by the Professional Standards Unit into allegations of misconduct under the Police Services Act was initiated. 

A police disciplinary tribunal was later convened however the matter was postponed pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings, at the request of the Crown attorney.