Kasargod: Fake currency racket - Interpol arrests prime accused in Dubai
Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Kasargod, Jun 13: In a significant breakthrough in the fake currency scam, the Interpol team has succeeded in nabbing one of the prime accused in the scam in Dubai.
The arrested is Haji Abdulla alias Abdul Rahiman (49) from Muttatala, Hosadurg in Kasargod.
The crime branch here has submitted the documents pertaining to the case to the Interpol through the union home ministry for Abdulla's repatriation from Dubai and take him into custody.
Apart from the fake currency case that is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Abdulla is said to be an accused in 11 other cases. There is even a warrant under COFEPOSA (Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act) issued against him.
On April 20, 2007 fake currency notes worth Rs 15 lac had been seized at Kozhikode airport. Abdulla was the prime accused in the case. Besides, he was also behind circulation of fake notes in Mallapuram, Kasargod and Subramanya, sources said.
In 2008, fake notes worth Rs 23 lac were seized in separate incidents in Kozhikode - Rs 15 lac from a vehicle and Rs 8 lac from a lodge. Five were arrested in the case, and the crime branch had established that Abdulla Haji was the kingpin in the case. Interpol had then issued a lookout notice against Abdulla Haji.
On March 10, 2010, counterfeit notes worth Rs 24.16 lac were confiscated at Cochin international airport by the DRI. A case was filed against Adbdulla Haji in this regard, and the investigation was carried out by NIA. A red-corner notice was issued by the Interpol. Also, a red alert was sounded for his arrest at various airports and ports.
It is said that Abdulla has nexus with two other prime accused - Moidin Haji and Abubakkar - in the fake currency racket and the three were reportedly running a racket together. The fake notes are reportedly printed in Pakistan and circulated in India via Dubai. While Moidin Haji, hailing from Udupi, is still absconding abroad, Abubakar of Kanhangad was arrested in Delhi in November 2012 after he was extradited from Saudi Arabia.