DUBAI, Nov 15(The National): Two men have been arrested after customs inspectors at Dubai Airport Free Zone seized 1,000 counterfeit travellers' cheques with a face value of up to Dh2 million.

The cheques, issued in euros and US dollars, were found in two packages sent from an unnamed African country.

"They found the cheques hidden in rolls of paper," said Omar al Muhairi, senior manager of air cargo operations at Dubai Customs.

A sample cheque was sent to Dubai Police's Criminal Investigation Department to verify they were counterfeit.

Dubai Police's General Department of Airport Security arrested the two men, both from an unspecified African country, when they tried to collect the parcels.

The cheques were found late last month, but details were released by Dubai Customs yesterday. Mr al Muhairi said because the parcels arrived just before Eid al Adha, investigators believed the men were hoping to target holiday travellers.

An Asian man was arrested at Dubai International Airport this month after 50 fake credit cards were found in his luggage. Customs officials said the cards had a combined purchase value of Dh1.5 million.