Two arrested in eastern Georgian city for large-scale counterfeit currency distribution

Police in the eastern Georgian city of Marneuli have detained two Azerbaijani citizens on charges of attempting to circulate a large amount of counterfeit money, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported on Monday.

The investigation found the suspects - identified as J.M., born in 1966, and M.M., born in 1993 - acted in prior agreement and attempted to distribute fake banknotes at a currency exchange booth near the Red Bridge border checkpoint.

Law enforcement officers seized seven counterfeit €500 banknotes as evidence.

The case is being investigated under Article 212, Part 2 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.