Kasargod: NIA arrests accused in fake currency racket from Mumbai
Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod
Kasargod, Aug 18: NIA sleuths have arrested a prime accused in the counterfeit currency racket from Mumbai.
The accused is identified as Majeed (47) from Kasargod. He was apprehended at Mumbai airport while he was returning from Dubai to his native place. He was brought to Kochi for further enquiry.
Prior to the arrest, the crime branch had issued a lookout notice for Majeed, however, there was no trace of him. On July 14 the case was handed over to the NIA. He was arrested in connection with counterfeit currency cases under Hosadurg, Chandera and Kasargod police limits.
Sources said that several counterfeit currency cases had been registered against Majeed. On August 17, 2012, gold worth Rs 1.8 lac was bought with fake notes from a jewellery store at Kanhangad. Abdul Jabbar of Chervathur was arrested in the case, and it was suspected that a counterfeit currency racket existed in Kasargod.
Moreover, it came to light that jewellery, garments and electronic items had been bought using fake notes from various places. Cases were registered in Hosadurg, Chandera and Kasargod police stations. It was learnt that the fake currency notes were printed in Pakistan and through Dubai, brought to Mangalore Airport. The notes were then distributed by agents in various parts of the coastal region.
Investigations have revealed that Moidin Haji from Udupi, Majeed from Kasargod and Mummunhi are said to be the prominent persons involved in the racket. The local police and the crime branch had earlier arrested nine persons in connection to the fake notes racket -
Abdul Jabbar (39), K P Abdul Nasir, Anagoor (36), Chethan Kumar, Udupi, Usman Bantwal, Gopal Krishna Pandith from Manipal (21), Zubaida, wife of Abdul Jabbar, private financiers Balan Payyanoor, Girish and Abdul Rehman. In August 2012 Rs 31 lac counterfeit currency had entered Kasargod via Mangalore Airport.
NIA sleuths have stepped up their search for Moideen Haji and Mumunnhi. Police also suspect the involvement of Majeed in the cases reported over the recent years.