07 June,2014 06:36 AM IST | | Ketan Ranga
Mohd Makdum Shaikh would smuggle in cash strapped to buffaloes as they crossed a lake between India and Bangladesh; arrested after Mumbai ATS laid a trap for him after receiving a tip-off
Fake cash
A nation-wide fake currency racket was busted recently, with the arrest of the man who kept it up and running, by procuring fake notes.
Also read: Two youths from West Bengal held in fake currency racket
Pic for representation
Mohammad Makdum Jalal Shaikh (35) a resident of Malda in West Bengal, would get the fake currency from Bangladesh and smuggle it into Malda. He would then dispatch the sham currency to his distributors in different parts of the country, who would then circulate the notes in their cities.
He was picked up from Malda after ATS officers received a tip-off that he was supplying fake notes to a distributor in Mumbai.
According to sources, bags full of fake currency would be strapped on to the backs of buffaloes in Bangladesh. The beasts were then made to cross water bodies at the border and make their way into West Bengal. Representational Pic
According to police sources, the town of Malda, situated on the Bangladesh-West Bengal border, is a hub of fake currency scams. An officer from ATS said, "We were on the man's trail for some time. We received a tip-off that he was supplying fake currency to an accused in Mumbai. We laid traps in Mumbai and in Malda, and managed to arrest both the supplier and the Mumbai distributor." The team on Shaikh's tail had to stake out in Malda for five days before they were successful in nabbing him. The distributor has been identified as Mallik Shaikh (30). Cops caught him and found fake currency worth R5 lakh in his possession.
Also read: Sinister sisters held for churning out fake money
According to sources, bags full of fake currency would be strapped on to the backs of buffaloes in Bangladesh. The beasts were then made to cross water bodies at the border and make their way into West Bengal. An officer who was part of the operation said, "Every state is aware of Shaikh. He has been at the top of the list of people wanted for fake currency rackets. He has a number of cases pending against him, but was never nabbed. We had proper information and so were able to catch him after a long wait."
The two were produced in Mazgaon court (currently shifted to Sewree) and remanded in police custody till June 13.
Rs 18
Cost of making each fake note, according to police estimates
