CALGARY, (Feb. 21, 2005) — Cops in Calgary have lassoed a truck driving school that allegedly handed illegitimate Class 1 licences to hundreds of unqualified drivers.

According to a report by the Calgary Sun, police shut down the Delta Driving School on suspicion that untrained truck drivers were being put behind the wheel for fees of up to $2,500. Some of those drivers were later involved in serious collisions, the newspaper quoted Calgary Police Service Det. Gord Robertson as saying.

In the two-year sting, dubbed Operation Humbug, police identified nine suspects, including the school owner Jaswant Singh, instructors, three independent examiners and two medical doctors. Singh, 54, is charged with forgery of documents and breach of public office. Charges are pending against the other suspects.

The Sun learned that police had been tracking 172 people — and they suspect there are many more — who started out with Class 5 licence and left the school with a Class 1. The school was allegedly able to provide seemingly authentic documents that allowed drivers to get their Class 1 from the provincial registry.

Robertson also alleged necessary medical exams were fraudulently facilitated through the school.

— from the Calgary Sun