The Gombe State Police Command has arrested five suspects over alleged criminal conspiracy and possession of counterfeit United States currency, alongside substances believed to be mercury.
The command, on Friday, paraded the suspects, saying they were arrested during intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives attached to the Dukku Divisional Police Headquarters.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed that four of the suspects were apprehended at about 11am in Dukku town with counterfeit foreign currency.
He identified them as Kabiru Abubakar, 29, of Dugge Quarters, Dukku; Abubakar Aliyu, 30, of Basirda Quarters, Dukku; Abdulrahman Mustapha, 22, of Ramin Kura, Kaduna State; and Isah Alhasan, 45, of Sheka Quarters, Kano State.
Abdullahi said the suspects were allegedly found with 304 pieces of counterfeit $100 notes.
“During the course of investigation, the suspects confessed to the offence and further indicted the fourth suspect as the supplier of the counterfeit currency,” he said.
The police spokesperson added that, in a related development on the same day, operatives arrested another suspect earlier in the morning with substances suspected to be mercury.
He said the suspect, identified as Muhammad Muhammad, also known as Malam, 40, allegedly admitted during interrogation that the substance was meant for use in producing fake currency.
Abdullahi also named Abubakar Bala, popularly called Boza, said to be from Nasarawa State, as another suspect linked to the recovered substance.
“They confessed that the substance suspected to be mercury was allegedly used in the production of fake currency,” he added.
Abdullahi said all the suspects were in custody, while investigations were ongoing to uncover the full scope of the alleged syndicate and recover additional exhibits.
The command reiterated its commitment to tackling financial crimes and urged residents to provide credible information to aid security operations.