site.btaAuthorities Bust Group Involved in Counterfeit Money Distribution

August 16 (BTA) - The prosecuting magistracy has charged
six persons with participating in an organized crime group
involved in storing and distributing counterfeit euro banknotes
in Bulgaria. The suspects were arrested two days ago in the
capital and in the southern town of Sandanski. The police
operation was also joined by a Europol expert, the prosecuting
magistracy reported here on Friday.

According to the evidence collected so far, the group was formed
 last September with the purpose of distributing counterfeit
euro banknotes in Bulgaria, which would later spread into other
EU Member States.

There is evidence that in addition to the counterfeit money, the
 group was also offering cocaine to potential clients.

The authorities have searched people, vehicles and residences
and have seized a total of 122,200 fake euro in 200-euro
banknotes. RY/MY