RCMP vow to lick counterfeit stamp ring

RCMP and local police forcessearched two dozen businesses in the Montreal areaTuesday as part ofa 10-month-long investigation into counterfeit and re-used postage stamps.

Two people were arrested.

Postal inspectors from Canada Post and theRCMP in Montreal and Toronto have been probing a possible network of stamp counterfeiters for almost a year.

Since last May, authorities have seized 40,000 fake stamps and 10,000 re-used stamps. The re-used stamps were sold online. The counterfeits were sold in convenience stores individually or in booklets of 10, the RCMP said in a release.

A Canada Post franchise is apparently one of the businesses being investigated.

"It appears that the stamps seized originated from the same source of distribution," the RCMP said.

The stamps feature the same series of images a portrait of the Queen, images of the Vancouver Olympics, and photos of Canadian lighthouses.

Five people have been arrested so far. Charges were filed Tuesday against two suspects in Toronto. The other arrests were in Montreal.

The investigation continues. Police say more charges could be filed.