Counterfeiter nabbed by Hawks

KNYSNA NEWS – A 41-year-old man was arrested on Monday 30 August after he was found to be in possession of counterfeit US dollar notes in Knysna.

According to Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani the arrest follows an operation by officials from the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime team which was assisted by the Knysna Visible Policing unit.

The operation was based on intelligence-driven information that had been received about an individual in possession of counterfeit currency.

"The information was operationalised which led police to a business area in Knysna where a foreign national was found in possession of a bag with 10 counterfeit $50 notes amounting to approximately R6 000 in value," Hani explained. "He was immediately arrested. A bank official was contacted for verification and the notes were confirmed to be counterfeit."

The suspect was charged in terms of the Prevention of Counterfeiting of Currency Act. "The Hawks' investigation into the recovery is continuing and more arrests can be expected," Hani said. The suspect appeared in the Knysna Magistrates Court on 1 September.

The accused, 41-year-old Baradise Christian, appeared in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Wednesday 1 September. The matter was postponed to 8 September for a formal bail application while the accused remains in custody.

The counterfeit money which was confiscated.