Two arrested for bogus money

DENPASAR, Bali: Police arrested two people on Monday on suspicion of possessing and passing counterfeit money.

Police made the arrest after receiving a complaint from a cigarette vendor in Kuta. The vendor, I.G.P. Darmawan, told police that Poniran, 22, and Ahzan, 16, had purchased cigarettes from his using what he suspected was counterfeit money.

Police arrived at the scene and found the two suspects in a nearby convenience store on Jl. Raya Kuta. Police placed the suspects under arrest and confiscated from them eight counterfeit Rp 50,000 banknotes and four counterfeit Rp 20,000 banknotes.

"The suspects insisted they did not know the money was fake. But we cannot just accept their explanation," said a police detective, who asked not to be named.

Police are continuing their investigation and plan to search the suspects' house.(zen)