22 people hit with public health fines after RCMP bust illegal nightclub
Surrey, B.C., venue investigated previously, police say; host not issued fine but ordered to appear in court
Nearly two dozen people were fined for violating public health orders after RCMP busted an illegal nightclub in a Surrey, B.C., neighbourhood early Sunday.
Police found 22 people inside the club in the 10600-block of King George Boulevard when they arrived with a search warrant just after 1 a.m. PT, according to a statement. The club had been investigated several times before, the statement said, and police had fined people associated with the operation three separate times.
Everyone found inside the club on Sunday got a ticket. In total, 26 tickets were issued: 21 were for attending an event contrary to COVID-19 restrictions and four were for failing to wear a face covering, while one person was fined for "abusive and belligerent behaviour."
The fines, worth $230 each, totalled $5,980.
Current public health orders state that, with a few small exceptions, social gatherings must be restricted to the members of your immediate household. All events are banned and masks must be worn in indoor public spaces.
RCMP said the host of the event was not issued a $2,300 fine for hosting a non-compliant event, but was issued a notice to appear in court.
Police in the city issued a number of other violation tickets over the weekend.
On Saturday, a man who was not following the 14-day quarantine requirement after arriving in Canada was fined $1,150. Officers fined a restaurant owner $2,300 for hosting a wedding in a private room with at least 20 guests that same day.
