Film processing involves a step referred to as ‘fixing’, where the silver ions required during the development of images are converted into a silver metal by-product. Integra Investigation Services’ client, a major film production company, had noticed a decrease in the amount of silver yield in their Toronto plant and feared internal loss as the reason.

Integra was then hired to conduct a corporate theft investigation. Starting with thorough background investigations of all of the employees at the plant, Integra revealed that several of the employees had a net worth that far exceeded their earnings. These employees were then placed under surveillance by Integra personnel and it was discovered that the group was working together to smuggle the silver by-product out of the plant in 5-gallon buckets. The unrefined silver was then being transported to Montreal where it was sold to a jeweller and converted into refined silver for sale.

Once the corporate theft investigation concluded, Integra coordinated with several law enforcement agencies to apprehend and charge the employees, resulting in terminations that were uncontested by the employee’s union as well as convictions. As a result of the one-month project, approximately 400 lbs of silver with a value of over $100,000 was recovered and returned to the client.