Two Santa Clarita counterfeiters were caught during a Special Assignment Team (SAT) operation Thursday when deputies served an auto theft search warrant at a home in the Mint Canyon manufactured home estates in Canyon Country

The Feb. 1 raid was apart of an auto theft investigation in Canyon Country, orchestrated by SAT deputies, who found more than they expected at the Mint Canyon residence.

“SAT assisted by Crime Impact Team (CIT) conducted an auto theft search warrant on the 16400 block of Sierra Highway, said Shirley Miller, a spokeswoman for the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station. “Throughout the investigation, they (deputies) uncovered counterfeit money, meth, narcotics and paraphernalia, as well as other equipment related to the production of  counterfeit money.”

Deputies arrested two individuals at the home in Mint Canyon. Jason Ramirez, 40, and Rebecca Phillips, 31, were arrested on suspicion of possession of counterfeit currency, vehicle grand theft and grand theft under false pretense, Miller said.

In addition to counterfeiting and theft offenses, Ramirez was also charged with violation of his parole while Phillips received methamphetamine, heroin and narcotics charges as well.

With both teams combined (SAT and CIT), nearly 10 deputies were on hand to serve the warrant. The operation went off without a hitch, with no injuries reported.

Once inside the home, deputies found several items related to producing counterfeit money including fake $100 bills.

Officials from the U.S. Secret Service were notified to the counterfeit operation and will be conducting their own investigation, Miller said, because counterfeiting operations automatically fall under federal jurisdiction.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for KHTS email and text alerts today!