A missing-person case in Kollam led police to uncover a counterfeit currency manufacturing unit with a potential production value of Rs 2.5 crore. Authorities seized digital printing equipment and gold, pointing to links with illicit hawala transactions. The probe is now examining connections to broader organized crime networks.
A missing-person investigation in Kollam, Kerala, has taken an unexpected turn, leading authorities to uncover a sophisticated counterfeit currency manufacturing operation. What began as a personal complaint filed on October 16 by a local resident, Tincy, regarding her husband, Sibion, quickly escalated into a deeper probe involving suspected illegal financial activities.
During the inquiry, law enforcement officials discovered discrepancies in the suspect's financial dealings, suggesting involvement in hawala transactions and clandestine printing networks. A joint task force, which included the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force, carried out a raid on a residential property in Kallelivayal linked to the suspect.
The search resulted in the recovery of high-end digital printing equipment, a high-speed currency-counting machine, and stacks of paper precisely cut to match the dimensions of Rs 500 notes. Based on the seized raw materials, authorities estimate the potential face value of the counterfeit currency that could have been produced at approximately Rs 2.5 crore. In addition to the printing setup, the raid yielded 43 sovereigns of gold ornaments.
Initial questioning of the primary suspect, Sibion, has implicated a secondary individual identified as Ravi from Attingal, who is alleged to have supplied the specialized equipment and components. Reports from the investigation indicate that the suspect had invested roughly Rs 30 lakh to acquire the materials for this illegal operation.
Police are currently prioritizing the apprehension of the alleged supplier and are tracing the broader financial network to determine the scale of the distribution. The investigation is also examining whether these activities are connected to organized crime groups involved in regional currency forgery. This event underscores the ongoing challenges posed by the misuse of advanced printing technology and the focus of regulatory and police bodies on curbing illicit financial flows in the regional economy. Authorities are continuing to monitor the financial trail to assess the extent of the network's reach.