Peel police say two people are in custody after allegedly producing and selling counterfeit licence plates that have been tied to at least 30 criminal investigations in Ontario.
In a news release, Peel police said investigators with its road safety services division identified a registered online business that was making and selling counterfeit llicence plates to be used on vehicles.
Search warrants were executed at two addresses in Hamilton on April 7 following a “lengthy investigation,” police said.
Two people were arrested without incident at that time, police confirmed.
“Investigators seized items used to produce and distribute counterfeit licence plates, including currency, plate‑pressing equipment, fraudulent blank plates from multiple jurisdictions, promotional materials, vehicles, and other related items,” police said in the news release issued Wednesday.
“It is alleged that these counterfeit licence plates have been used in offences involving fraud, organized auto theft, violence and firearms.”
The plates, police said, were also linked to criminal cases in other parts of Canada.
In one incident at around 8 a.m. on June 12, 2025, police allege that an impaired driver operating a stolen vehicle with counterfeit plates fled from police before crashing on Dixie Road. The suspect, police said, was arrested after attempting to take another vehicle.
“Counterfeit licence plates pose a serious threat to public safety,” Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said in a written statement.
“This investigation underscores the strong collaboration between our specialized units and frontline officers, and our shared commitment to identifying those responsible and holding them fully accountable.”
Police say Avery Macleod-Nolk, 28, and Tyler Matthew Macleod, 27, both of Hamilton, are facing several charges, including unlawfully making marks, selling or possessing counterfeit marks, affixing a mark, and possession of property obtained by crime.
