Cops uncover fake currency racket in Tripura, 1 held

Agartala: Police dismantled a major counterfeit currency operation linked to a growing narcotics network in Tripura’s Khowai district on Wednesday and arrested a govt school teacher accused of running the racket.Police apprehended 42-year-old Kartik Debnath, a resident of West Sonatala in Khowai, from the Bagan Bazar area of Kalyanpur. During initial checks, officers found fake Indian currency notes totalling Rs 7,600 in his possession.Police later searched Debnath’s home and recovered additional counterfeit notes worth Rs 13,400 and 57 SP Tablets, which were seized.Police said intelligence officials kept Debnath under watch for several days after receiving reports about his role in distributing fake Indian currency in local markets. Investigators said the counterfeit bills were crafted with such skill that they could easily mislead everyday individuals and merchants alikeA criminal case against Debnath was being filed under laws related to the production and illegal distribution of counterfeit currency. Police said the investigation was focusing on identifying the origins of the forged notes and examining possible links to smuggling networks in Bangladesh or larger crime syndicates operating across state lines.Debnath was produced before the local court, where police were seeking remand for thorough questioning to uncover deeper connections within the operation.