Channel used for selling fake U.S. dollars cut in Kyrgyzstan - State National Security Committee
BISHKEK. Dec 24 (Interfax) - Officials from the Kyrgyz State National Security Committee have cut a channel used for selling counterfeit U.S. dollars coming into the country from Turkey, the press service for the State National Security Committee reported.
"The anti-corruption service of the State National Security Committee has cut a channel used for bringing from Turkey and selling fake U.S. dollars as a result of operational search activities aimed at exposing facts of terrorism financing and religious extremism on the territory of Kyrgyzstan," the press service has reported.
According to the State National Security Committee, unknown individuals brought to Kyrgyzstan some 100,000 counterfeit U.S. dollars o charter flights from Istanbul to Bishkek in early November.
"Of the said amount, $45,000 was received by a resident of Bishkek, who, for his part, passed the money to his acquaintances for subsequent sale and exchange," the press service said.
An organized criminal group composed of eight citizens of Kyrgyzstan, who sold counterfeit money, was found during operational search activities. The group comprises one policeman and two former police officers. Some of the counterfeit money was found in their residences. Over $40,000 was found from the said persons.
"The said counterfeit U.S. dollars are very high-quality and have all levels of protection," the special service said.
According to the Kyrgyz Prosecutor General's Office, a criminal case has been opened on the basis of the crime of "production, storage or sale of counterfeit money or securities."