North Lakhimpur: In a major crackdown on an alleged counterfeit currency network, Lakhimpur Police seized Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) with a face value of Rs 15 lakh and arrested 10 people during coordinated raids across several villages in the district on Monday.
The operation was carried out by personnel from various police outposts under the Laluk and Bihpuria police stations in the greater Bongalmora area, a region that has long been under surveillance for its suspected links to counterfeit currency and fake gold rackets.
Simultaneous raids were conducted in No. 2 Islampur, Yuba Nagar, Besapatti, Balitika, Balijan, Mohghuli, Pachim Mohghuli, Pandhowa and Borchola villages, leading to the recovery of counterfeit notes and the arrest of the suspects.
Those arrested have been identified as Md. Abdul Rajak, Md. Rajibul Haque, Md. Muksidul Alam, Md. Riaj Uddin and Md. Imran Hussain, all residents of Balijan; Motiur Rahman of Balitika; Sahabul Islam of Pandhowa in Garchiga; Ikramul Islam and Hebjur Rahman of Mohghuli; and Mizanur Rahman, alias Mizu, of No. 2 Islampur.
Police said Mizanur Rahman is a repeat offender. He was arrested by Lakhimpur Police in January 2018 after a counterfeit currency printing machine was recovered from his possession. Investigators alleged that after securing his release, he resumed his involvement in the illegal trade before being apprehended again in Monday’s operation.
A case has been registered at Laluk Police Station (Case No. 132/26) under Sections 178, 179, 180, 111(2)(b) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police said further investigation is underway to identify the source of the counterfeit notes and dismantle the wider distribution network.
The latest seizure comes less than a week after another breakthrough in the district. On June 29, Lakhimpur Police recovered suspected Fake Indian Currency Notes with a face value of Rs 33.59 lakh during a vehicle checking drive at Dhalpur. Two persons-Jehirul Islam (28) and Haidar Ali (29) were arrested in that case, and a hatchback bearing registration number AS01GK7439 was seized.
According to police, the counterfeit currency racket has remained active for years in a cluster of villages, including Pandhowa, Borsola, Mohghuli, Tinithegiya, Sonapur and Yuba Nagar, where it is often linked to fake gold frauds. These areas fall under the jurisdictions of Laluk and Bihpuria police stations, as well as the Bangalmora, Nowboicha, Silonibari and Dolahat police outposts.
Law enforcement agencies have been carrying out periodic operations against the network since 2015, making several arrests over the years. Police described Monday’s crackdown as another significant step towards dismantling organised counterfeit currency syndicates operating in Lakhimpur district.