U.S., Peruvian officials seize $30 million in counterfeit cash

Kevin Johnson , USA TODAY
6 p.m. EST November 17, 2016


(Photo: Justin Lane, EPA)


WASHINGTON — U.S. Secret Service agents, working with Peruvian authorities, seized $30 million in counterfeit currency in the largest such operation in the agency's history, officials said Thursday.

In raids carried out earlier this week across Peru's capital of Lima, a global hotbed for the manufacture and distribution of fake U.S., currency, 48 people were arrested and six printing locations were shuttered.

More than 1,500 Peruvian police officers were involved in the raids, dubbed "Operation Sunset,'' according to the Secret Service. The Peruvian officers are an extension of anti-counterfeiting task force whose members have been trained by their U.S. counterparts.

"The Peruvian government has become a valuable partner in our efforts to combat counterfeit currency,'' Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy said.

In addition to the counterfeit cash, eight printing presses and 1,600 plates replicating various currency denominations were seized.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...cash/94044384/