Five arrested in Dedeağaç over counterfeit €50 banknotes

The arrests were carried out by officers from the Dedeağaç Sub-Directorate for the Prosecution and Investigation of Crimes following an investigation into the circulation of counterfeit currency.

Those arrested include one foreign national and four Greek nationals. Authorities said separate charges were filed, depending on the case, for circulating counterfeit currency, money laundering, currency and payment-instrument counterfeiting, participation in a criminal organization, disobedience, drug possession and failure to properly supervise a minor.

Investigation leads police to counterfeit banknotes
According to police, officers located a passenger car in Dedeağaç on the evening of August 28. The foreign national driving the vehicle was allegedly found to have previously circulated five counterfeit €50 banknotes in transactions at three kiosks in the city.

Police said nine additional counterfeit €50 banknotes were found in his possession. The investigation reportedly established that he had obtained the banknotes earlier that day from a Greek national in an area of Dedeağaç.

A coordinated police operation was subsequently launched.

On the afternoon of August 29, two Greek nationals, including one minor, were arrested. Police said a total of 168 apparently counterfeit €50 banknotes, with a face value of €8,400, were found at their residence and in their possession.

Authorities also seized €980 in genuine banknotes, 1.4 grams of raw cannabis and two mobile phones.

Police said one of the two suspects had supplied the foreign national with counterfeit banknotes the previous day.

The two suspects were initially spotted riding a moped. According to police, they attempted to flee on foot after realizing that a police check was imminent, but officers stopped and arrested them.

Two additional arrests over minor's supervision
Two more Greek nationals were arrested in connection with the case for allegedly failing to properly supervise the minor involved in the operation.

In total, police seized 182 counterfeit €50 banknotes, €1,110 in genuine currency, 1.4 grams of raw cannabis, three mobile phones, a passenger car and a moped.

The preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Dedeağaç Sub-Directorate for the Prosecution and Investigation of Crimes.