Six arrested in counterfeit ring

CIREBON, West Java: Police here said on Friday they had arrested at least six people for allegedly counterfeiting money in the past two months.

Cirebon Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Siswandi said the latest arrest of two suspects was made on Thursday, and four others were nabbed two months ago when they were trying to pass off fake money to a disguised police officer.

He said that the police confiscated 100 banknotes worth Rp 100,000 each from two suspects, who would sell three counterfeit banknotes worth Rp 100,000 for one original banknote of Rp 100,000.

Cirebon Police chief detective Adj. Comr. Taufik Asrori said that the police confiscated from the four suspects fake banknotes valued at Rp 83.9 million in total.

He said that the suspects were charged with violating Article 244 and 245 of the Criminal Code on counterfeit money and that they face a maximum jail term of 15 years.

The suspects confessed to counterfeiting money for two years and distributing it across West Java province, Taufik added. --JP