The Prince George RCMP have received a number of counterfeit currency reports.
Photo Credit: PrinceGeorgeNow
On Monday, March 19, general duty officers entered a counterfeit investigation regarding the production and distribution of counterfeit Canadian $100 bills.
On Thursday, March 22, a municipal trafficker services member conducted a vehicle stop after receiving a suspicious vehicle report on the 1700 block of 8th Avenue.
Two of five occupants of the vehicle were subsequently arrested for counterfeit-related offences and transported to the detachment.
Over 17 counterfeit $50 U.S. bills were seized.
On Friday, March 23, RCMP attended a motel room in Bear Lake approximately 70km north of Prince George.
A search warrant was executed and evidence of the production of counterfeit currency was seized.
Over $8,000 of Canadian counterfeit currency in $100 bills were seized.
RCMP also found and seized over $2,500 in counterfeit American $50 bills.
During the investigation, nearly $12,000 in Canadian and American currency was seized.
Cole Patrick McIntyre-Hartwick, a 20-year-old male, has been charged with the following criminal offences.
- production of counterfeit currency
- distribution of counterfeit currency
- offer to sell counterfeit money
- use counterfeit money as if it were genuine (three counts)
McIntyre-Hartwick appeared in Provincial Court on Monday, March 26.
He was remanded in custody at least until his next court appearance scheduled for April 25.
A female under the age of 18 has also been charged with the following offences:
- production of counterfeit currency
- possession of counterfeit currency
The female appeared in Provincial Court on March 26 and was released on documents to appear in court at a future date.
Investigators believe there is approximately $2,000 in counterfeit Canadian $100 bills still in circulation in Prince George.
Bills will show obvious signs of being counterfeit and all show the same serial number, EKR2223601.
The investigation is ongoing and is not associated with the College Heights investigation that occurred last week.
If you have any information regarding the making and distributing of counterfeit currency. you are encouraged to contact Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300.
You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477.
