CIDG nabs 2 men selling fake dollars

Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested two men for selling fake dollar bills amounting to P1.5 million in an entrapment operation in Makati City over the weekend.

CIDG director Chief Superintendent Jesus Verzosa identified the suspects as Joselito Zambrano, 53, and Erlino Toylo, 62, both residents of Makati.

Verzosa said the two were arrested at around 3 p.m. at Kainan 88 on Euphrates street, Makati City while selling 300 fake $100 bills to undercover agents during an entrapment operation.

Verzosa noted that the operation was conducted following reports that the suspects were part of a group responsible for the proliferation of fake dollar bills in Metro Manila.

The arresting team, led by Senior Inspector Erano Aquino of the CIDG-Anti-Organized Crime Division, seized 200 fake bills from Zambrano and 100 bills from Toylo.

Makati City Assistant Prosecutor Mikaela Ann Veluz recommended the filing of charges against the two for selling counterfeit foreign currencies.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has been closely coordinating with law enforcement agencies in a campaign to stop the proliferation of fake Philippine and foreign currencies.