Police arrested a 22-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman on court warrants yesterday as part of an investigation into the possession and circulation of counterfeit banknotes.
Police officers found the 22-year-old at a kiosk at around 4am yesterday during the investigation. At the time, he bought products and paid with a €200 note, with the kiosk cashier giving him change.
The officers immediately identified themselves and carried out a preliminary check on the €200 note. Police said the check raised suspicions over whether it was genuine.
The 22-year-old was arrested for the offence of possessing and circulating a counterfeit banknote.
His car was parked outside the kiosk, with the 19-year-old sitting in the passenger seat. During a search, police found 17 packets of cigarettes and €300 in €50 notes inside the car. They were taken as evidence.
Police then searched the home where the two live in Nicosia and found €1,760, including five €200 notes that appeared at first sight to be counterfeit. The notes were taken as evidence.
The 19-year-old was arrested for illegal possession of property after she was unable to give satisfactory explanations about the origin of the money.
The two were later re-arrested on court warrants and placed in custody. They are expected to appear before Nicosia District Court this morning for the remand procedure.
Nicosia CID is continuing investigations.
