Counterfeit racket operated through SL busted

Six members of a 16-strong gang have been arrested in various parts of Ramanathapuram, India over the past three days, including one today, in connection with smuggling of fake Indian currency - some of which were allegedly printed in Pakistan - from Sri Lanka, police said. 

The racket came to light after the arrest of two persons who attempted to exchange some fake notes at Keezhakarai Branch of the State Bank of India in the district a couple of days ago. 

Officials were stunned by the "texture of the fake note which looked like a genuine note" and felt that it should have printed in some government press, police said. 

Their interrogation led to the arrest of Muneez alias Murugan and seizure of fake notes in 1,000-rupee denomination and with a total face value of Rs 42,000 from his possession when it was being smuggled from Sri lankato India, a top police official said. 

Muneez was arrested at Pamban near here today. 

DSP of Keezhakarai Maheswari said they had arrested Yasser Arafat and Syed Ibrahim of Keezhakarai and one unindentified person on Thursday last. 

Police said a 16-member gang was behind the racket and they had already smuggled in from Sri Lanka fake notes with a total face value of Rs.Six lakh and circulated it in Kerala. Some notes were allegedly printed in Pakistan. 

The gang is suspected to having links with some persons in Tuticorin and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu and investigations are on in this direction as well, police said, adding, a team has left for Kerala. -- (PTI)