Toronto man charged after shipments of prohibited coronavirus testing kits intercepted at border

A 43-year-old Toronto man has been arrested and charged after packages containing prohibited COVID-19 testing kits were intercepted at the Canada-US border.

According to law enforcement, on Wednesday, March 25, the Toronto Police Service Financial Crimes Unit received information from the United States Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Toronto, and the HSI National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPRCC), regarding a parcel that was intercepted at the border.

Police say the parcel allegedly contained 25 individual prohibited coronavirus testing kits.

Investigators worked in partnership with HSI Toronto, HSI IPRCC, and Canada Post Security & Investigation Services, to determine that more parcels had been sent from a Toronto address.

It’s further alleged that several parcels of prohibited COVID-19 tests were shipped across Canada and into the United States

On Thursday, March 26, members of the Financial Crimes Unit, executed a search in the Cosburn Avenue and Pape Avenue area where Jesse Wong was arrested and charged.

He’s charged with Fraud under $5000, and Possession of Forgery Device.

“Toronto Police would like to remind the public to be extra vigilant when it comes to those trying to sell or provide products or services associated to COVID-19. There are no legitimate ‘home test kits’ available,” said police.