A 30-year-old Sylvan Lake resident is facing several charges relating to passing counterfeit currency.
On March 2, Sylvan Lake RCMP launched an investigation after a local business reported that a male tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. The bill was seized by the RCMP and the suspect male identified by RCMP.
Information was received that several local businesses had been paid with counterfeit currency for various goods and services by this same suspect.
On Saturday, a search warrant was executed at the suspect’s residence where large amounts of counterfeit Canadian currency were located. Other items, including a cell phone and PlayStation, were determined to be purchased with counterfeit currency, and were seized.
Ryan James Bain is charged with producing, possessing and passing counterfeit money, possessing property obtained by crime and tools or instruments intended for making counterfeit money.
He’s scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on April 7.
The RCMP would like to acknowledge the diligence of the local businesses that reported these incidents. Police remind area residents and businesses that if they are unsure of the authenticity of any currency, to check for the security features that should be present.
More information on Security Features found in Canadian notes can be found the Bank of Canada’s website at www.bankofcanada.ca