(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Israel Police’s Lahav 433 (Major Crimes Unit) uncovered a major counterfeiting operation based in northern Israel. During the Sunday night operation, police arrested six suspects, all residents of the north for their suspected involvement in the operation well organized operation which began with counterfeiting banknotes in a hideout for national distribution as well as making large scale purchases.

The affair began with Forensic information and analysis conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division, which raised suspicions of forgery and distribution of 50,100 and NIS 200 shekel notes in large sums. A covert investigation led the unit to a hiding place in Kiryat Bialik, where police found printers, paint materials and cutting machines.

As mentioned, the unit’s detectives raided the counterfeiting lab Sunday night the eve of 10 Cheshvan, arresting the suspects and confiscating tens of thousands of shekels found in the apartment suspected of counterfeiting, along with equipment intended for printing and producing the notes.

The suspects will be interrogated by the Major Crimes Unit and they were brought for arraignment before the Rishon L’Tzion Magistrate Court on Monday afternoon.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)