The New Brunswick RCMP has arrested four people and seized counterfeiting equipment and counterfeit money as part of an ongoing investigation in Tracadie, N.B.
In August 2022, Northeast District RCMP received more than 15 complaints relating to counterfeit money being used at local businesses across the Acadian Peninsula. As part of the investigation, police were able to identify two individuals and a vehicle of interest.
On August 30, at approximately 4:10 p.m., police stopped a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle of interest in Tracadie. A 34-year-old man and a 35-year-old man, both from Tracadie, were arrested without incident. They were later released pending a future court appearance.
On September 7, at approximately 9:20 a.m., a member of the Tracadie RCMP detachment responded to a report that a woman had used counterfeit money to make a purchase at a local business. When police arrived, they arrested a 36-year-old woman from Tracadie at the scene, without incident. She was later released pending a future court appearance.
The same day, at around 7:45 p.m., police executed a search warrant at a home on Rivière-à-la-truite Street, in Tracadie, in connection with the investigation. During the search, police seized counterfeit money as well as equipment used to make counterfeit money. A 51-year-old man was arrested at the scene without incident, and was later released pending a future court appearance.
The RCMP is reminding the public to report any suspicious money to their local police. Please visit the Bank of Canada's webpage for information on how to detect counterfeit money and what to do if you receive any.
The investigation was jointly conducted by the Tracadie RCMP, the Caraquet RCMP, and the Lamèque RCMP. The Northeast District RCMP Community Crime Reduction Unit assisted with the execution of the search warrant.
Anyone with information about counterfeit money being circulated in their community, or who has come into contact with what they believe is counterfeit money, is asked to contact their local police detachment. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.
The investigation in ongoing.