Barrie police uncover $1.5M counterfeit cash operation tied to business sale

A 51-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman are now facing charges related to the investigation which launched last year.

Two Whitby residents are facing numerous charges after Barrie police uncovered a large counterfeit currency operation tied to a fraudulent business sale.

The investigation began in December after officers say a private business owner in Barrie reported receiving a large wad of cash during a down payment.

Police later determined that the currency used was counterfeit.

On Friday officers executed a search warrant at a Whitby home where they found counterfeit Canadian and American currency with an estimated face value at around $1.5 million.

A 51-year-old Whitby man has been charged with fraud over $5,000, two counts of possession of counterfeit money, making or dealing instruments for counterfeiting and making counterfeit currency.

A 32-year-old Whitby woman has also been charged with two counts of possession of counterfeit money, making or possessing instruments for counterfeiting and making counterfeit currency.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.