BC

Transit Police in Metro Vancouver say two men are facing charges over the production of counterfeit passes.

Police say they and security officials began to notice some riders were presenting fake but good-quality government-issued transit passes about six months ago.

They say they began an investigation and identified a suspect who was operating mainly in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, and the passes were allegedly being made to order.

Police say they launched a sting operation, arrested two suspects and seized computers, laminators, printers and dozens of passes ready for sale.

Arrested and charged are 47-year-old Jamie Stuart Richardson and 65-year-old Daniel Blair, who were scheduled to appear in court Friday.

Police estimate the lost revenue to the transit system to be more than $200,000.