SQ dismantles counterfeit document lab in Montreal with 250+ seized items
Police uncovered a sophisticated operation producing fake Canadian, French, Swiss, Czech, and Italian passports, along with driver's licenses and other official documents.
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The Sûreté du Québec dismantled a sophisticated counterfeit document operation in Montreal on July 8, seizing more than 250 items used to manufacture fake passports, driver's licences, and other official documents.
The operation was capable of producing complete passports from Canada, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Italy. It could also produce driver's licences from Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Florida, along with birth certificates from Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, firearms acquisition permits, and Quebec health insurance cards.
"The equipment seized is highly sophisticated, capable of producing high-quality documents," said Marie-Hélène Poulin, head of the SQ's Economic Crimes and Cybercrime Investigation Unit.
Three vehicles were also seized. One person was arrested in connection with the operation; police investigation into the case is ongoing, particularly to recover significant sums from a bank account. The arrested individual could face several charges including forgery and the use, possession, or trafficking of counterfeit documents.
The facts
When did police dismantle the counterfeit document operation?
The Sûreté du Québec dismantled the operation in Montreal on July 8, 2026.
How many items did police seize?
Police seized more than 250 items used to manufacture fake documents.
What countries' passports could the operation produce?
The operation was capable of producing complete passports from Canada, France, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Italy.
How many people were arrested?
One person was arrested in connection with the operation.
