A counterfeit currency ring has been located and dismantled and multiple suspects have been charged as a result of an investigation by the Surrey RCMP Community Response Unit.
The investigation began on January 8 after Surrey RCMP frontline officers responded to numerous reports stating that counterfeit American currency had been used at various businesses in the Newton area. The amount of counterfeit currency that had been circulated in the community was over US$5,000.
The Surrey RCMP Community Response Unit (CRU) in Newton took conduct, and advanced the investigation which culminated in the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the 7600-block of 134A Street on January 23.
During this investigation, police seized a further $12,000 in counterfeit US currency, $120 in counterfeit Canadian currency, equipment that had been used to produce counterfeit currency, as well as numerous knives and replica firearms.
Kaymen Winter, 25, has been charged with uttering counterfeit currency, making counterfeit currency, possession of instruments used in making counterfeit currency, possession of counterfeit currency, two counts of possession of prohibited weapons, and three counts of possession of a forged document.
Tassie Winter, 25, has been charged with six counts of uttering counterfeit currency, making counterfeit currency, possession of instruments used in making counterfeit currency, possession of counterfeit currency, and possession of credit card data.
Mitchell Coubrough, 32, has been charged with two counts of possession of counterfeit currency, and possession of credit card data.
Terita Herbert, 33, has been charged with possession of counterfeit currency.
“Counterfeit currency can be particularly harmful to small independent business owners,” says Cpl. David Amerlinck. “The victims of this type of fraud often find themselves paying out of pocket for the financial losses. It’s affecting their business, but in many cases they are affected personally as well.”
Although charges have been laid, the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or, if you wish to make an anonymous report, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.
