A man has been arrested after police discovered a counterfeit money operation in South Auckland.

Police said they could not put an exact amount on the large sum found, but a spokesman confirmed it was “tens of thousands” of dollars worth of fake currency.

The 29-year-old is due to appear in the Pukekohe District Court later today charged with presenting a forged document.

He also faces a charge of cultivating cannabis, after a cannabis operation was found at the same property.

A search warrant was executed by the police at a Pukekohe address last week in connection with an ongoing investigation into the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit currency.

Counties Manukau Tactical Crime Unit Sergeant Tod Kirker said his unit was investigating several recent reports of counterfeit banknotes being circulated in the local community.

“As a result of the search warrant, our team found that counterfeit bank notes were being manufactured at the address.

“We also found a large sum of forged banknotes in the final stages of being ready for distribution and use in the community.

”We also located a firearm, ammunition, and cannabis plants.

“On close inspection, anyone should be able to recognise that these supposed banknotes are fakes.”

– more to come –