Police have issued a warning over a spike in counterfeit currency after a man was arrested in Lurgan when officers uncovered fake notes, suspected drugs and stolen goods spanning several districts.
Lurgan’s E-Section Local Policing Team were called after a local business reported a man attempting to pay for fuel with suspected counterfeit money.
Officers located the suspect a short distance away and carried out searches of both him and his vehicle.
Police say he was found to be in possession of a quantity of counterfeit currency along with suspected Class A and Class B drugs. He was arrested at the scene and his vehicle seized.
Soon after, officers received a further report — this time from a member of the public in Craigavon who had sold an item via an online marketplace. The buyer, matching the description of the arrested man, had handed over £500 in what she believed to be counterfeit notes.
A search of the suspect’s seized vehicle recovered the item, which has since been returned to its rightful owner.
The investigation widened further with support from officers in a neighbouring district.
A property in Bangor was searched where police located additional counterfeit currency, a sum of cash, suspected Class A drugs with an estimated street value of £10,000, and a scrambler bike recently bought in Ballymena — again, allegedly using counterfeit money.
The male has been interviewed on a series of offences and has been bailed pending further enquiries.
Police say the number of counterfeit currency reports is increasing and are urging both businesses and private sellers to be vigilant.
A spokesperson said: “We are seeing a large number of reports with regards to counterfeit currency, and would encourage our local businesses, and residents selling items privately, to be cautious of this and report any suspicions to us.”
