LEWISTON — An alleged inspection sticker counterfeit operation that was characterized as “huge” by Maine State Police was busted this week in a Lewiston home.

According to a news release from the Maine Office of Public Safety, Lewiston resident Percy Hutchins, 31, was charged with aggravated forgery. 

Troopers search his 1223 Sabattus Road home and seized: “27 counterfeit inspection stickers, in addition to ten others seized earlier in the investigation. Also seized were glass encased proofs, computers and a printer,” the release said. “Troopers believe Hutchins has been printing the bogus stickers since 2010 and may have produced hundreds and possibly thousands of counterfeit stickers. Those stickers were distributed throughout central Maine where they were sold for $100 or more.”

In recent years, Maine State troopers “have seen an increase of high quality counterfeit inspection stickers throughout Maine,” the state said. “While it has become more difficult to spot them, troopers continue to find them in increasing numbers, many times on vehicles that pose serious safety risks to the motoring public.”