Kingpin of fake note racket arrested

Police said S Kidhar Mohammed has confessed to having pumped in several crores of fake currencies into markets in all the southern States.

“The gang circulated the counterfeit currency through their wide network of agents in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and other places. They exchanged Rs one lakh of fake currency in Rs 2000 denomination for original notes. The counterfeit currency was released mainly in markets, Tasmac shops and tourist spots,” said a senior police officer.

Police said Mohammed, an expert in printing fake currencies, has been in the illegal business for the past 20 years. “He was arrested in Coimbatore in 2010 for possessing a counterfeit currency. Cases are pending against him and his accomplice Sundar (38), who is now at large, in several police stations in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka,” police said.

Police busted the fake currency racket following the arrest of Ananth (31) during a vehicle check in Coimbatore on June 1. Further inquiries led cops to the currency printing unit at a house in Velandipalayam. The police seized fake currencies bworth Rs 1.18 crore found in the unit.

A special team of police has gone on a search for Sundar, who is suspected to be hiding in Kerala. “Ananth got in touch with him and Mohammed a few years ago, when he was lodged at the Coimbatore Central Prison for a different case,” police said.

City Police Commissioner K Periaiah said they are investigating to examine any nexus between the fake currency syndicate and extremist elements.

“They have only made photocopies of original notes and they were of poor quality unlike the high-quality notes printed by north Indian gangs.”