Three men and one woman appeared in a Saint John courtroom Thursday after an investigation into financial irregularities amounting to more than $3 million in illegal copper wire sales.
West District RCMP began an investigation in March 2021 into financial crimes following a report from a business with allegations of fraud against several employees.
Police learned employees made unauthorized purchases of bare copper wire through the company dating back to November 2012.
They sold the copper to a local salvage dealer, knowing it was illegal.
Mounties searched two homes and one business in connection with the investigation on June 7.
Officers arrested a 45-year-old Cummings Cove woman, a 49-year-old Back Bay man, a 75-year-old Pennfield man and a 56-year-old Bonny River man.
They were released pending a future court appearance.
Police say that Patrick Brennan, Andy Peters, Melanie Pirie and Leonard Totten each face one-count charges for the following:
- Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
- Fraud over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Laundering proceeds of crime
The RCMP says all four will appear in Saint John Provincial Court on Oct. 12.
“Our members worked diligently on this complex file and were able to gather the evidence needed to support the charges that were laid,” says Cpl. Dan Sharpe with the West District RCMP.
“We encourage anyone who is purchasing salvaged parts or metals to ensure the product has been legally acquired.”
The investigation remains ongoing.