ST. CATHARINES, ONT.

A disgraced Niagara Regional Police officer has been fined $15,000 for his part in a scheme that involved smuggling copious quantities of cheese and chicken wings across across the border.

Casey Langelaan, 49, resigned from the police service last year after he was caught up in a large-scale smuggling operation that saw thousands of dollars worth of U.S. cheese and chicken wings smuggled into Canada and sold to Ontario restaurants.

"A man of otherwise good character has been embarrassed and shamed in his community," Judge David Harris said Friday after Langelaan pleaded guilty in a St. Catharines, Ont., courtroom to charges of evading compliance with the Canada Customs Act and possession of imported goods.

Court heard the investigation began in January 2012 and involved Niagara police, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Canada Border Services Agency.

The investigation initially focused on the cross-border activities of another NRP officer, Const. Geoff Purdie, who is now serving time behind bars in an American jail for smuggling steroids into Canada.

When investigators questioned Purdie, he offered up Langelaan, a sergeant at the time and making well over $100,000 a year, as a fellow smuggler.

But instead of smuggling steroids, court heard, Langelaan’s preference was cheese and chicken wings.

No one was interested in the poultry, court heard, but Langelaan, a resident of Fort Erie, sold the cheese to restaurants in Aylmer and Dorchester, Ont., at a profit of more than $50,000.

Lawyer Paul O’Marra described his client as a "highly respected officer" whose reputation has taken a “major hit” because of the crimes.

O’Marra said Langelaan has also suffered a blow to his pocketbook.

Canada Borders Services Agency wants him to pay a penalty of $50,000, almost three times the amount of duties and taxes the former cop didn’t pay at the border. That matter is subject to civil litigation.

His taxes were also re-assessed.

Two other people were arrested as a result of the investigation that revealed more than $200,000 worth of cheese had been purchased in the U.S. and distributed in Canada. Const. Scott Herron and Bernie Pollino are scheduled to appear in court Dec. 12.

According to the CBSA, travellers can bring back, duty free, $20 or 20 kilograms in total (whichever limit is reached first) of dairy products.

It must also be for personal consumption. If it is used for commercial purposes a permit is required and duties are charged accordingly.

alison.langley@sunmedia.ca

@nfallslangley