Two people have been charged following investigations into the alleged creation and distribution of counterfeit currency in the Hunter region, NSW Police say.
Between Tuesday 13 and Tuesday 20 February 2018, police will allege the man and woman produced counterfeit $50 notes and used them at several businesses in the Port Stephens-Hunter, Newcastle City and Lake Macquarie Police Districts.
Officers attended a service station on the Pacific Highway at Gateshead on Tuesday 20 February 2018 and following further inquiries, arrested a 20-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman in an adjacent hotel tavern.
A hotel room was searched and officers located numerous counterfeit currencies, mobile phones, several tablets and equipment used for the making of the currency.
All items were seized for forensic examination and the two were taken to Belmont Police Station.
The man was charged with possess counterfeit money (x2), utter counterfeit money knowing it to be counterfeit (x3), and possess counterfeiting machine/tool/die.
He was granted conditional bail to appear before Belmont Local Court on Thursday 15 March 2018.
The woman was charged with make counterfeit money or prescribed security, possess counterfeiting machine/tool/die, possess counterfeit money, utter counterfeit money knowing it to be counterfeit (x2), and possess prohibited drug.
She was granted conditional bail to appear before Belmont Local Court on Thursday 8 March 2018.
