The RCMP reported that, earlier today, its Ottawa detachment arrested four adult males and conducted a series of searches in Gatineau and Val-des-Monts recovering bonds that were stolen from the Bank of Canada.

Through the course of this investigation, 666 bonds stolen from the Bank of Canada in 2001 were recovered, it said. The investigation is ongoing, and charges have not yet been laid.

“The Bank of Canada is pleased that these bonds have been recovered. We want to thank the RCMP for its diligence in this investigation,” said Pierre Miner, assistant director of the Bank of Canada’s Department of Banking Operations.

The RCMP added that investigations of this nature often result in criminal charges such as conspiracy to commit forgery, possession of property obtained by crime and conspiracy to commit fraud, which carry maximum sentences of 10-14 years.

It also noted that it has adopted economic integrity as one of its key strategic priorities and is focusing on preventing, detecting and deterring crimes that undermine the Canadian economy.