5,360 masks confiscated by Delta Police after online sting, sellers slapped with $500 fines
Posted April 3, 2020 4:46 pm.
Last Updated April 3, 2020 4:48 pm.
DELTA (NEWS 1130) — Two people have been fined for selling surgical masks at inflated prices after two separate sting operations conducted by Delta Police.
Sellers were tracked down online by officers who usually focus on stolen property investigations.
“Our Crime Reduction Unit follows crime trends, and it’s troubling to see people trying to flout the ministerial order during this pandemic,” said Cris Leykauf, spokesperson for Delta Police.
Police took possession after 5,360 surgical and N95 masks this week after two individuals attempted to sell them to us. Re-selling of personal protective equipment is now banned by ministerial order. Sellers both got $500 bylaw tickets. News release https://t.co/lkl5gVZinF pic.twitter.com/tvlEya9Bjv
— Delta Police Department (@deltapolice) April 3, 2020
On Thursday, an officer who found an ad online with someone selling masks for $15 each, and an additional $300 “delivery fee.”
A meeting was arranged.
“The seller, a Burnaby resident, showed up to the pre-arranged location, driving a luxury vehicle. A police officer approached the man and informed him he would be receiving a $500 bylaw ticket for operating with no business license. Police took possession of 60 masks, for which the seller was asking $1,200,” according to a release from Delta Police.
On Friday, a similar sting played out with a seller who was selling 3,000 surgical masks for $2,200. That seller was also fined $500.
Police confiscated over 5,000 masks and are now working with Fraser Health to figure out how to put them to proper use.
