22 people hit with public health fines after RCMP bust illegal nightclub

Nearly two dozen people were fined for violatingpublic health orders after RCMPbustedan illegal nightclub in a Surrey, B.C., neighbourhoodearly Sunday.

Police found 22 people inside the club in the 10600-block of King George Boulevardwhen 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 separatetimes.

Everyone found inside the club on Sunday gota ticket. In total, 26 tickets were issued: 21 werefor attending an event contrary to COVID-19 restrictions and four were forfailingto wear a face covering, whileone 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, aman 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.