The Ondo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected counterfeit currency production centre in Odigbo Local Government Area, arresting one suspect and recovering three bags of suspected fake United States dollar notes.
The operation was carried out on October 29 at Kiniso Village, via Ajue, following an investigation into a complaint by a man who allegedly received counterfeit dollars during a currency exchange transaction.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the police, the complainant, identified as Yusuf Nasiru, reported that two men, Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, both residents of Ode-Irele, approached him at his shop on October 25 to exchange dollars for their naira equivalent.
Nasiru reportedly handed over $6,000, estimated at N8.6 million, to the men.
However, while waiting for payment, the suspects allegedly returned the dollars, claiming they lacked sufficient funds to complete the transaction, before leaving.
The complainant later discovered that the notes returned to him were counterfeit and reported the incident to the police.
Following the complaint, operatives from the Okitipupa Divisional Headquarters launched an investigation, using intelligence gathering and technical tracking to trace one of the suspects, Peter Desmond, to Kiniso Village.
Acting on information from residents, the police raided the suspected hideout, where one suspect was arrested while other occupants reportedly escaped through a perimeter fence.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of three bags containing suspected counterfeit US dollar notes and a small wooden box, which were taken into police custody as exhibits.
Jimoh said the arrested suspect had provided useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Felix Ohagwu, has ordered an intensified investigation to identify and arrest other individuals allegedly connected to the operation.
The police also urged residents to avoid suspicious foreign currency transactions, verify dollar notes before accepting them and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.