Friendship labourer arrested with fake currency

Tristan Saphan Franklyn was arrested on Tuesday after he was found with $80,000 in counterfeit currency, which he allegedly used to purchase a quantity of beverages; a further check revealed he had another $180,000 stashed.

Police Headquarters reported that Franklyn, 26, a labourer of Friendship Village, East Bank Demerara, was taken into custody following a report made by Althea Peters, a Customer Service Representative and Cashier at Banks DIH Limited, Brickdam and Cornhill Street, Stabroek, Georgetown.

According to a police report, Peters visited the Stabroek Police Outpost around 07:59 hrs and informed the police that Franklyn had visited her workplace to purchase beverages.

She stated that Franklyn paid $80,000 in $5,000 notes.

“She collected the money and, upon checking it, observed that it appeared counterfeit. She handed over the notes to a police rank at the Stabroek Outpost, after which she identified Franklyn to the police, and he was arrested,” Police Headquarters reported.

Following Franklyn’s arrest, a search was conducted on a black haversack he was carrying, and additional $5,000 notes amounting to $180,000 were discovered.

Franklyn was taken to the Brickdam Police Station, where he remains in custody.

Police said the suspected counterfeit currency notes were secured in an evidence bag, marked, sealed, and lodged for analysis at the forensic laboratory.

Investigations are ongoing.