DRI Discovers Seven Counterfeit Currency Printing Rings Across Four States
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Synopsis
In a significant operation, the DRI has dismantled seven counterfeit currency printing modules across four states in India, apprehending nine individuals involved in the production of Fake Indian Currency Notes. This crackdown highlights the ongoing efforts against the illegal currency printing syndicates.
Key Takeaways
- Seven modules printing counterfeit currency were discovered.
- Nine individuals were arrested during the operation.
- Raids conducted across Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Various tools and materials used for printing were seized.
- Ongoing investigations are being handled under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (NationPress) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled seven operations involved in the production of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) and apprehended nine individuals during a coordinated effort across Maharashtra, Haryana, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh, as stated in an official announcement on Friday.
This operation is part of an ongoing initiative targeting entities engaged in the procurement of security paper and the manufacture of FICN. The DRI executed simultaneous raids at 11 locations in the four states on Thursday.
In Vikhroli West, Mumbai, DRI officials pinpointed the importer. Following an extensive search in a crowded area, a state-of-the-art facility for producing and finishing Fake Indian Currency Notes was discovered, along with counterfeit currency denominations of Rs 50 and Rs 100, as well as various tools. Seized items included laptops, printers, pen drives, security paper, A-4 sheets, and butter paper featuring the watermark of Mahatma Gandhi, according to the statement.
Based on the DRI officers' complaint, the individual was taken into custody, and all equipment was confiscated by local police under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for further inquiry.
In the districts of Sangamner and Kolhapur in Maharashtra, the DRI exposed similar operations equipped with computers and printers for the printing of counterfeit Indian currency. At both locations, two suspects were arrested based on the DRI complaint, and the illegal materials were seized by local police under BNS for further investigation.
Interrogation of the suspects from the Kolhapur operation led to the identification of another module in Belgaum, resulting in the arrest of three additional individuals.
Furthermore, in three other areas – West Godavari District in Andhra Pradesh, Khagaria District in Bihar, and Rohtak in Haryana – the DRI traced the security paper importers. Critical evidence including restricted security paper and a printer was recovered in West Godavari; laptops, printers, and restricted security paper were found in Khagaria. The three suspects have been detained by local authorities based on the DRI's complaint, and the case is under further investigation by the BNS, as noted in the statement.
On February 8, the DRI arrested two individuals identified as the primary importers of high-grade paper featuring an embedded security thread inscribed with 'RBI' and 'Bharat' in Ghazipur District, Uttar Pradesh, and in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The subsequent day, February 9, the DRI uncovered two facilities in Thane, on the outskirts of Mumbai, and in Bhiwani District in Haryana that were using imported security papers to print FICN. Three individuals were taken into custody by local police based on the DRI complaint, as stated.
