Ahmedabad: 25 nabbed in two weeks in FICN racket

The police authorities have arrested 25 people in the last two weeks for acquiring and circulating counterfeit notes in the state. However, further probe reveals that over 25 more people are suspected to be associated with the racket of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN).

Interrogation of kingpin Ramesh Patel indicates at the involvement of Ramesh Madha Patel, a resident of Vijapur in Mehsana who is believed to have acquired Rs10-12 lakh in fake notes. Another person in Himmatnagar allegedly holds counterfeit currency worth Rs 14 lakh, also acquired from kingpin Ramesh.

While the search for them is on, police suspect the involvement of many more such agents, each of whom is believed to possess more than Rs1 lakh of FICN. To trace the suspects, the police investigated the call history of kingpin Ramesh’s mobile number.

They have also deployed special teams in different cities like Vijapur, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Rajkot and Surat to bust this racket.

Sources claim that four people have been detained in Jamnagar in this regard and they will be brought to Ahmedabad for further probe to be carried out by Special Operational Group (SOG). BC Solanki, ACP, SOG, said, “Five teams are carrying out investigation in different cities. Quite a few suspects have disappeared but we will find them. We are hopeful of solving the case soon.”

Meanwhile, the court has granted the remand of Deepak Patel till Friday.