The Calgary Police Service has charged Tinevimbo Gandawa, 19, with multiple charges following the seizure of close to $60,000 in counterfeit currency from a northwest Calgary residence.
Gandawa was alleged by police to have been in possession of both counterfeit Canadian currency, manufacturing material to create counterfeit currency, and an imitation firearm.
“Every counterfeit bill we pull out of circulation is one less tool that feeds criminal activity,” said Staff Sgt. Kerry Smith of the Calgary Police Service Offender Management Unit, in a prepared news release.
“We were also able to remove an imitation firearm from the community. These types of firearms are often used to threaten and intimidate victims as they appear real, so I would like to thank the officers who worked on this investigation and seized the items harmful to Calgarians.”
Gandawa was accused by police of attending multiple businesses between July 10 and July 15, and paying for items with what was later determined to be counterfeit currency.
He was also alleged to have purchased an iPhone from a victim using the counterfeit currency.
The Calgary Police Service seized $58,150 in counterfeit currency on Aug. 28, from a residence on the 4500 block of 37 Street NW.
Police returned to that same residence on Sept. 9 to arrest Gandawa, but he evaded police by accessing a neighbouring residence, they said.He was arrested several hours later after extensive negotiation.
Gandawa was charged with theft under $5,000, manufacturing counterfeit currency, uttering counterfeit currency, possession of counterfeit currency, possession of a weapon, break and enter, and two counts of breach of a probation order.
