Richmond RCMP bust driver licence forgery lab

Mounties in Richmond say officers have busted a sophisticated forgery lab likely used to create fake IDs.

In December, the Richmond RCMP says a specialized team of officers searched a home in Richmond and found a wad of material capable of making credit cards, along with Alberta, Ontario, and Washington drivers licenses.

“We located thousands of templates with various security features, including cutouts for Canadian permanent residences,” Insp. Michael Cohee explained.

He says the search stemmed from an international tip in November of last year.

ID templates found by the Richmond RCMP. (CityNews Image)

“We received information from U.S. law enforcement agencies about intercepted materials in regards to a residence in Richmond where there was materials involved in the production of Canadian and American driver’s licenses, and credit cards,” Cohee said.

Mounties say officers found items including thousands of blank identification cards, high-end printers and laminators, and stolen mail.

“They’ll steal all of your identification…So when they’re going to a bank, an institution, a car dealership, Best Buy, to buy high-end equipment…[there’s] going to be a picture of themselves with your data, your information on them,” he explained.

Richmond RCMP say officers found thousands of blank cards for creating fake credit and identification cards. (CityNews Image)

Cohee says due to the size of the operation, it likely has a provincial and international reach.

“It’s not just about Richmond, this individual no doubt had clients that would be…all across B.C. probably, nationally, internationally and so forth. This individual obviously knows very well what they’re doing,” Cohee said.

He says in taking down this organization, the suppliers are likely out of millions of dollars, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of people from becoming victims of identity theft.

The Richmond RCMP says officers found a high-end forgery equipment at a home in Richmond. (CityNews Image)

One suspect has been arrested, and subsequently released, pending the approval of criminal charges.

“Hopefully…we’ll get several charges laid against this individual,” he added.

Police say the investigation is still ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212 and quote file number 2022-33913.

With files from John Ackermann and OMNI