AFP – The police of Timor-Leste have seized US$4 million in counterfeit currency from a warehouse belonging to a Chinese shop in Dili and detained four foreigners, the force announced on Wednesday.

The operation followed intelligence reports regarding the existence of counterfeit money at the location, according to Superintendent Joao Belo dos Reis, director of the Criminal Investigation Service.

"We carried out a raid, during which we collected all evidence related to the crime and detected several boxes containing counterfeit money," he explained during a press conference at the police headquarters.

Preliminary estimates suggest the seized counterfeit money "points to an amount of around US$4 million," he said, adding that further details would be released by the end of the week.

Criminal investigation police will now work with customs to identify import records associated with the seizure, specifically to determine when the currency entered the country and who facilitated its transport.

Investigators will collaborate with the cntral bank to determine the exact type of forgery. Furthermore, the police will engage international partners to trace the money's origin and the factors that allowed its entry into the country.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao visited the police headquarters for a meeting with General Commander Assistant Commissioner Afonso dos Santos and Second General Commander Commissioner Natercia Martins, though he did not address journalists.

In a note sent to the media, the prime minister's office highlighted that Xanana Gusmao requested that authorities deepen the investigation.

Source: https://macaubusiness.com/timor-leste-police-seize-us4-million-in-counterfeit-cash