Coquitlam RCMP shut down sophisticated “counterfeit credit card factory”

By Nadia Stewart and Paula Baker Global News

Posted March 4, 2015 11:42 pm

Updated March 5, 2015 1:41 am

2 min read

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Coquitlam RCMP has shut down what they believe to be a “sophisticated counterfeit credit card factory.”

Today, police displayed hundreds of pieces of stolen mail and identification including credit cards, passports and drivers’ licenses. Police allege the accused, 45-year-old Alvin Chand, was stealing mail from across the Lower Mainland and selling it.

Chand was already known to police when he was charged and later pled guilty to a series of criminal charges related to stealing or forging credit cards in 2013. He was sentenced to one year in custody and one year of probation.

After Chand’s release in February 2014, police noticed a spike in mailbox thefts and criminal activity. After identifying the Citadel Heights area of Port Coquitlam a crime hotspot, the Prolific Target Team targeted 26-year-old Justin Roach.

Roach was later arrested and alleged to have committed several offences in relation to stolen mail. Roach, who is currently in jail and facing 21 criminal charges, will appear in court on March 5. Police also said Roach and Chand are acquainted.

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Following Roach’s arrest, investigators executed another search warrant a Chand’s home and found “a fully functioning credit card factory.”

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“Yes, for him this is a business,” said Cpl. Scott Grimmer with the Coquitlam RCMP Prolific Target Team.
“It’s a very lucrative business for him.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Yes, for him this is a business," said Cpl. Scott Grimmer with the Coquitlam RCMP Prolific Target Team.</p><p>"It's a very lucrative business for him."

Among the credit cards and mail found, police also seized a loaded handgun, $10,000 cash, stolen property from around the Lower Mainland, drugs, high-end specialty tools and a host of weapons.

Grimmer said they also found more than 700 pieces of stolen mail and more than 300 pieces of ID. Some of the items were stolen from as far away as Prince George.

“The reason we are showing you this today is to show the extent to which mail theft has become a crime trend in the Lower Mainland,” Grimmer said.
“As you can see, weapons and stolen property suspects in mail theft will spare no expense in getting your mail. We would strongly recommend that you check your mailboxes daily.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The reason we are showing you this today is to show the extent to which mail theft has become a crime trend in the Lower Mainland," Grimmer said.</p><p>"As you can see, weapons and stolen property suspects in mail theft will spare no expense in getting your mail. We would strongly recommend that you check your mailboxes daily."

Chand is currently in custody and is charged with possession of a loaded/restricted firearm; possession of another person’s identity information for a fraudulent purpose; theft of mail and mischief to a Canada Post box.