Four people were arrested in Surrey recently after cops brought down a counterfeit currency ring in the area.
According to police, on January 8th, officers responded to numerous reports stating that counterfeit American currency had been used at various businesses in the Newton area. The amount of fake cash that had circulated the community was over $5,000.
The Surrey RCMP Community Response Unit took control of the investigation and executed a search warrant in the 7600 block of 134A Street on January 23rd.
During this investigation, officers seized a further $12,000 in counterfeit US currency, $120 in fake Canadian cash, equipment used to print bills, and numerous weapons.
Kaymen Winter, a 25-year-old who was most known for being shot by Salmon Arm RCMP in 2017, was charged with one count of Uttering Counterfeit Currency, Making Counterfeit Currency, Possession of Instruments Used in Making Counterfeit Currency, and Possession of Counterfeit Currency, two counts of Possession of Prohibited Weapons, and three counts of Possession of a Forged Document.
In addition to Kaymen, 25-year-old Tassie Winter was charged with six offenses, 32-year-old Mitchell Coubrough was handed two charges, and 33-year-old Terita Herbert was given a single charge for 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.”
Anyone with information on the investigation or on Winter is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at (604)599-0502.
