Police in Nairobi have made a significant arrest after uncovering a suspected counterfeit currency operation linked to fake United States dollars.
The arrest followed a carefully planned operation based on intelligence received by officers attached to Lucky Summer Police Station. The move is part of ongoing efforts by law enforcement to deal with financial crimes that continue to affect businesses and the wider economy.
The operation began after detectives received information pointing to a vehicle believed to be transporting counterfeit US currency within the city.
Acting on this tip, the officers tracked a white Toyota Prado with registration number KDQ 401U. The vehicle was spotted moving within the Lucky Summer area, where officers moved in and stopped it without incident.
Behind the wheel was a 38-year-old man later identified as Felix Nyegesa.After the arrest, officers conducted a search of the vehicle as part of standard police procedure.
During the search, they discovered a locked metallic blue box hidden in the boot of the Prado. When questioned about the contents of the box, Nyegesa refused to open it or explain what was inside.
His refusal raised further suspicion among the detectives, who then decided to escort him and the vehicle to the police station for further investigation.
Once at the station, officers were able to open the box. Inside, they found a large quantity of counterfeit US dollars.
The fake money was neatly packed in sixty-eight bundles, with each bundle containing notes marked as 100 US dollars. The total amount of the counterfeit notes was substantial, pointing to a well-organized operation rather than a small or isolated act.
In addition to the fake currency, the box contained other items that appeared to be used to disguise or transport the money. These included cartons, newspapers, cotton wool, sand, and stones. Investigators believe these materials may have been used to add weight to the box or to conceal the fake notes during transportation.
Such methods are commonly used by criminal networks to avoid detection while moving illegal items.
Felix Nyegesa is currently being held in police custody as investigations continue. Detectives are now working to establish where the fake currency was produced, how long the operation has been running, and whether there are other people involved.
Police believe the suspect may be part of a larger network dealing in counterfeit money within Nairobi and possibly beyond.Authorities have warned members of the public and business owners to remain alert when handling foreign currency, especially in cash transactions.
Counterfeit money can cause serious losses and undermine trust in financial systems. Police have also encouraged anyone with information related to counterfeit currency activities to report to the nearest police station.
Nyegesa is expected to be arraigned in court once police complete the required processing.
Officers remain confident that the arrest will help expose more details about the counterfeit currency racket and lead to further action against those involved.
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