RCMP and CBSA seize $310,000 in Counterfeit US Currency!

TORONTO, Dec. 23 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Integrated Counterfeit Enforcement Team (ICET) in conjunction with its partner agencies, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the United Secret Service seized over $200,000 worth of US 100 denomination counterfeit currency at Toronto Pearson International Airport (PIA) on Tuesday.  CBSA Border Services Officers discovered the counterfeits sewn into a false sided suitcase on a flight from Lima, Peru. Charged with possession of Counterfeit Currency is Margie Costa Santisteban De Rojas 31 of Mississauga Ontario in relation to this seizure.

This seizure is the second seizure of US Counterfeit Currency at PIA in a little over a month.  On November 2, 2010 the CBSA seized $110,000.00 worth of US 100 denomination counterfeit currency from a different flight also arriving from Lima, Peru and turned it over to the RCMP ICET.  Police have charged Juan Antonio Sanchez Reimer 22 yrs old from Etobicoke, Ontario in relation to the November 2 seizure. 

Insp. Art Pittman of the RCMP Toronto West Commercial Crime Section credits CBSA Border Services Officers for their interdiction of a large quantity of counterfeit currency and explains, "the importance of maintaining confidence in the Canadian economy continues to be a strategic priority within the RCMP". 

"These seizures are credit to the officer's diligence and sends a warning to those who would use our borders to advance their criminal activity," said Richard Comerford, Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region, CBSA.

The RCMP and the United States Secret Service remind Canadians to be vigilant when accepting currency this holiday season.  More information about US Currency can be found online at www.newmoney.gov.  Information on Canadian currency can be found on the Bank of Canada's website www.bankofcanada.ca/en/banknotes.

Pictures of this seizure are available at http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/on/news-nouvelles/index-eng.htm

For further information:

Insp. Art Pittman	Anna Pape
RCMP GTA Commercial Crime Section	Spokesperson
Project Coordinator	Canada Border Services Agency
Office [phone]	905-803-5366