Royal Canadian Mint employee accused of burgling gold ‘pucks’ in rectum

A Royal Canadian Mint employee is accused of stealing $180,000 in gold “pucks” by hiding them in his rectum.

An investigation, initiated after suspicious bank deposits, led investigators to Lester Lawrence, a 35-year-old employee with a penchant for setting off metal detectors and a tube of lubricant in his work locker, the Ottawa Citizen reported Tuesday.

Prosecutors say Mr. Lawrence of Barrhaven, whose job was to test the precious metal for purity, burgled half-pound gold pucks to a buyer, who gave him roughly $5,000 per delivery between November 2014 and March 2015.

The terminated employee is charged with theft, laundering the proceeds of crime, possession of stolen property and breach of trust.

Mr. Lawrence’s defense team argued in an Ottawa courtroom Tuesday that gold nuggets in his possession had no markings. They also said the mint had not internally reported anything missing. The Crown countered that each puck fit into a custom “dipping spoon” that is not commercially available.

Justice Peter Doody will issue a ruling on the case Nov. 9, the Ottawa Citizen reported.