Police nab counterfeit money in Iqaluit

This is what a real $50 bill looks like.

This is what a real $100 bill looks like.

Watch out if someone hands you a $50 or $100 bill in Iqaluit.

Because there may be fake money in circulation around the city, police said March 30.

On March 28, they arrested a man trying to pass fake money at the Northmart, an incident which later led police to a mini-money-making factory in the city.

The Iqaluit RCMP responded March 28 to a complaint of a man trying to pass a counterfeit $100 and $50 bill at the Northmart, says a March 30 news release from RCMP media liaison officer Sgt. Jimmy Akavak.

A man was subsequently arrested and faces charges of possessing counterfeit money under Sect. 450 of the Criminal Code, the news release says.

Later that evening, the RCMP in Iqaluit responded to a complaint of an intoxicated man at the Frobisher Inn.

They arrested the man and, when they searched him, they found 14 grams of marijuana and a counterfeit $100 bill.

This man was released, but he now faces charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of counterfeit money.

On March 29, the RCMP Drug Section then prepared and executed a search warrant at a local residence in Iqaluit.

After police entered the house, they arrested the resident of the house and a second man were arrested “without incident,” the news release says.

Police brought the two men back to the RCMP cells, where a $100 counterfeit bill in the wallet of the second man.

This man was subsequently released from custody and faces a charge of possession of counterfeit money, the release says.

Items seized during a search of the residence include:

• about $9,000.00 cash
• digital scales
• baggies
• drug paraphernalia
• $1,500 in counterfeit currency, in $50 and $100 bills, and,
• computer equipment used in the production of counterfeit bills

The man who lives in that dwelling was released from custody and faces charges of trafficking in marijuana, producing counterfeit money, and possession of counterfeit money. He will appear in the Nunavut court in Iqaluit on May 6.

To date, the investigation has shown the counterfeit money seized on March 28 and 29 was produced in the accused’s home, the news release says.

RCMP investigators believe there may still be some fake $100 and $50 bills in circulation in Iqaluit.

“Merchants are asked to be cognizant of this fact and contact the RCMP if any suspicious currency is located,” police caution.

Anyone with any information can contact the local RCMP detachment and or call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222- 8477(TIPS).

Here’s what the counterfeit money circulating in Iqaluit looks like. (PHOTO/RCMP)