NBI nabs 2 suspected counterfeiters

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday agents have seized fake $100 bills worth $30 million from two suspected counterfeiters in Davao City.

NBI-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Ruel Lasala said they arrested Priscillo Posadas, 47, a resident of Barangay 24-C in Davao City; and Pedro Lacang, 50, of Barangay Agdao, Davao.

Posadas is the owner of a printing press.

The operation, which was a product of a two-month surveillance, was conducted last Oct. 27 with the help of the NBI office in Davao City and representatives of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Agents seized 6,580 fake $100 bills.

Also seized from Posadas’ printing press were 10 negatives for $100 bills, four negatives of the US Treasury seal, and nine bogus bills.

From Lacang they recovered 53 $100 bills, 24 negative films, one hand press machine, one embossing machine, 6,166 uncut $100 bills without serial numbers, and 352 uncut $100 bills with serial numbers.

"An informant had told us that the suspects were engaged in the manufacture of counterfeit dollars. Their operation was allegedly being financed by a Taiwanese national and they were selling the fake currency to a Taiwanese who was based in Mindanao. For every 100 pieces of $100 bogus bills, they were paid P100,000," Lasala said.

Once agents confirmed the information, they secured two search warrants from Executive Judge Renato Fuentes, of the Davao City Regional Trial Court, which gave them authority to inspect the printing press.

The suspects are currently detained at the NBI jail in Davao City.