Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (SP)

Kasargod, Sep 16: The police personnel attached to Kozhikode station have succeeded in unearthing a racket involving circulation of counterfeit currency notes. In operations conducted in phases during the last three weeks, they have succeeded in arresting five persons and confiscating counterfeit currency notes worth ten lac rupees from their possession.

The arrested accused are, Shihab (32) of Balal Kallanchira Mukkootu Veettil, Anoop (35) of Erumelivadak Kavu Purakkal, Manoharan Sasi alias Saji (42), a resident of Erattupet Panachchirapara Tundattil Veettil, Cheriyamanichchira Biju (32) from Talayod, and Prabhakar (45)from Erattupet Panachchira Putran Veettil Gold Joseph Kavadi.

Biju had presented a Rs 1,000 currency note for buying liquor from a foreign liquor sales store at Pavamani Road, Kozhikode, on August 26. After it was found that the note was fake, the police arrested Biju and found fake currency notes worth Rs 9,000 in his possession.

Based on information collected from Biju, police personnel arrested Shihab from a hotel on September 4, with counterfeit currency valued at Rs 4,500. Both Biju and Shihab worked for that hotel, and used to exchange fake notes when buying things needed by people renting rooms there. Anoop, who came to meet Biju and Shihab on September 9, was held with fake currency notes with face value of Rs 25,000. After the three were subjected to intense interrogation, depending on the information they gave, the policemen laid a trap and arrested the other two and found fake notes worth Rs 4,500 and nine lac respectively from Sasi and Prabhakar respectively.

The arrested accused used to print counterfeit currency notes with face value of Rs 500 and 1,000, the policemen said. The printing machine was installed in the house of Joseph. The policemen have seized printing equipment. Joseph, who is currency running textile business, is experienced in screen printing jobs, having worked in that field in the past. He used to print fake currency notes by using his experience in screen printing, it is gathered.