Two Bangladeshis among 4 held for running fake currency racket

Mumbai, Jan 14 (PTI) Four persons, including twoBangladeshi nationals, have been arrested for allegedlyrunning a cross-border counterfeit currency racket, theMaharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) said today.

ATS sleuths arrested three persons, identified as SamiulSheikh, a resident of Malda in West Bengal, and twoBangladeshis -- Mohammed Ahmed Laltoo (28) and his brotherMohammed Labloo Mulla (35), from near Kaizer-e-Hind hotel atP''Demello road here on Wednesday, ATS Chief Rakesh Maria said.

Based on the interrogation of the trio, the ATS todayarrested Mahoob Sheikh (30) from outside Sanpada railwaystation at Navi Mumbai, he said.

The ATS recovered fake Indian currency notes ofdenomination of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500, having a face value of Rs10,70,000 from their possession.

"The accused operated through the Bangladesh-West Bengalroute to bring currency into the city," Maria said, addingthat the accused, during investigations, revealed that thiswas their fourth trip to the city in the past seven years.

According to the ATS chief, the accused, who worked fortwo other Bangladeshis -- Kalid Massumder and Jamal Malik,have disclosed that they had supplied counterfeit currencynotes in Ahmedabad as well.

"Laltoo got a pan card issued from Panvel under the nameof Suzam Sheikh, while Labloo has an election card made underthe fake name of Phatkan Rashid Khan," he added.

All the four accused have been remanded in ATS custodytill January 19.