Charges are recommended against a pair of 18-year-olds from Mission after RCMP seized guns, drugs, cash and a silencer from a residence.
Purchases with “prop money” led police to the seizure, according to a news release from the Mission detachment.
RCMP say a young man used a $100 bill to pay for a loaf of bread on Jan. 18 at a bakery inside a Lougheed Highway mall. Another young man used two $100 bills to buy gift cards in a grocery store at the same mall around the same time.
Staff later realized the bills were fake.
“Although they felt real to the touch, the words 'Prop Money' were printed in the transparent window area of the bills, and they were missing the raised tactile features which are unique to genuine Canadian currency notes,” Mission RCMP said.
Mounties identified the two 18-year-olds after viewing CCTV footage. The pair are associated with each other and known to police, per the release.
Mission RCMP obtained search warrants for two locations but only found evidence at the residence of one of the teens who lived with his parents.
The crime reduction unit found two handguns, drugs in packaging “consistent with drug trafficking”, and over $10,000 in genuine cash. No other counterfeit currency was found.
“Not only were both of the guns loaded, but one was also equipped with a silencer,” RCMP said.
Police say forensic testing will determine whether the firearms are linked to any known offences.
Mission RCMP remind anyone taking cash as payment to verify the bills are authentic, especially when accepting larger denominations.
“If you determine after the fact that you accepted a counterfeit bill, retain the bill and notify police immediately,” the release reads.
Those with information are urged to call Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161.
