In a joint international police operation in Bulgaria, three suspects were arrested and more than 100 000 euros in counterfeit 50 euro banknotes were seized, as well as around 120 000 counterfeited US dollars.
The raid, which was carried out on 2 June, was a result of the activities of a joint investigation team involving Bulgaria, Spain, the US Secret Service, Eurojust and Europol. Europol coordinated the activities of the joint investigation team and provided analytical, financial and technical support. Europol experts are also providing technical assistance and are helping to gather evidence at the scene.
In the print shop, which is presumed to have been active since 2009, police seized one offset machine, a laser printer, forged documents, seals, vignette stickers, unfinished 50 euro banknotes and Bulgarian levs.
The same group of investigators were also successful earlier this year, on 13 May, when six suspects were arrested and more than half a million very highhquality counterfeit euro banknotes from print shops in Plovdiv and Parvomay were seized.
"I am pleased to see Bulgaria's determined fight against organised crime and these operations are an important contribution to the protection of the euro," says Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol.
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