Colombia’s national police and Europol, the European Union’s criminal intelligence agency, dismantled a clandestine printing press in Bogota that intended to distribute 450,000 counterfeit Euros in Europe, reported local media Wednesday.
Following the arrest of the forger and a search of their home, authorities found counterfeit bills of 100 and 50 Euros tallying €447,770 ($586,731 USD) along with imitation U.S. dollars totaling $101,100.
In addition to the fake notes, police seized three computers, three printers, two cutters, several cans of ink, paper, and forgery software.
The investigation by Spanish and Colombian law enforcement agencies began several months ago and found that the counterfeit money was destined for Europe via mailings or Colombian nationals who would then distribute it to retail.