Three suspects are facing charges after an incident at the Peace Bridge border crossing in Fort Erie, Ontario, where officers discovered six counterfeit Canadian passports and a significant cache of fraudulent financial items. The incident began when the suspects, who are all Canadian residents, took a wrong turn and were subjected to additional inspection by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers. During this inspection, the officers uncovered evidence including forged passports and equipment used for producing fake documents, along with approximately $24,000 in various currencies.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) stated that the investigation was promptly transferred to them following the initial seizure by CBSA. The authorities also confiscated 84 credit, debit, and gift cards, suggesting a broader scheme involving financial fraud. Further investigation revealed the presence of drug paraphernalia, indicating that the individuals may have been engaged in multiple criminal activities beyond just document forgery.

The suspects include a 51-year-old from Granby, Quebec, and two from Montreal, aged 40 and 33. They have been charged with possession of forged documents and possession of credit cards obtained through illegal means, among other charges. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by border authorities in Canada regarding document fraud and the need for rigorous inspections at border crossings to prevent illegal activities.