Halton police charge six, lay 20 charges in counterfeit currency probe

Halton police have charged six with a combined 20 charges related to a counterfeit currency and drug trafficking investigation.

Officers say they began investigating two Instagram accounts which advertised the sale of counterfeit Canadian currency in August.

The investigation led detectives to execute search warrants at three Toronto residences and all the vehicles of the accused individuals on March 31.

From these search warrants, Investigators seized:

• One-ounce gold bar worth about $6,500;
• Bundles of counterfeit Canadian, European and American currency;
• Packing materials for currency;
• Bundles of holographic security strips;
• Tools for counterfeiting currency;
• Counterfeit currency business cards for online shops;
• 12.6 ounces of cocaine;
• Six ounces of methamphetamine;
• Two ounces of MDMA;
• 80 Xanax tablets;
• 13 cell phones; and
• Multiple laptops and various electronics.

Halton police arrested 23-year-old Rafi Ahmed, 24-year-old Shafi Ahmed, 21-year-old Levente Glonczi and 29-year-old David Ho, all of Toronto with fraud over $5000, uttering counterfeit money and advertising and dealing counterfeit money.

Additionally, 31-year-old Jason Ho and 29-year-old Thanh Biu, also of Toronto, were charged with possessing cocaine, Xanax, MDMA and methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.

For more information on how to identify genuine Canadian bank notes visit the Bank of Canada’s website.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Halton police at 905-825-4777 or submit a tip anonymously by calling 1-800-222-8477 or by using the Crime Stoppers website.

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