$11,000 in counterfeit bills seized at Safeway in New Westminster, B.C.

New Westminster police have seized $11,000 in counterfeit cash after a man tried using the fake bills at a local Safeway.

The New Westminster Police Department seized $11,000 in counterfeit cash after a man tried to use the fake bills at a local Safeway.

On Thursday morning, Sgt. Andrew Leaver, a media relations officer with the department, said staff at the store called police and reported a suspicious bank note.

“I would say that this is unusual,” Leaver said.

“We’re not used to seeing this quantity of counterfeit currency, and we’re grateful to the staff at the grocery store that were alert enough to recognize, not only recognize that this might be counterfeit currency, but then to call us while the person was still on scene.”

The seized currency was in $50 and $100 denominations.

Leaver said police also confiscated drugs, and that charges are being considered.

The NWPD is one of many policing agencies dealing with a rise in counterfeit bills.

Police are reminding people to scan bills for fraudulent details such as a raised holographic strip.