AML/CFT: counterfeiters jailed as very organised crime is uncovered

The commercial print shop appeared to be doing good business - and it was. But behind the screens, it was also producing vast quantities of counterfeit GBP20 notes, €50 notes and GBP1 coins. And at home, one of those involved was running a carefully documented cannabis farm.

So far, some GBP17.5 worth of bank notes have been removed from circulation and traced back to the gang. The profits they made are as yet uncertain but they will be substantial. In addition, the cannabis farm's accounts showed a turnover of GBP100,000 every two months.

The gang came to the attention of authorities after their pattern of spending on products rarely used in commercial printing were reported as suspicious.

But there is an almost amusing sting in the tail of the story: despite the money they were making (in all senses of the word), they didn't want to pay their bills. One of the defendants was convicted of stealing electricity.

Due diligence information:

Phillip Brown, of East Farleigh, Kent. DOB 26/08/1966. Arrested 10/06/2010. Pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis and abstraction of electricity. Convicted at trial of conspiracy to make counterfeit (£20) banknotes and conspiracy to deliver counterfeit (€50) notes. Sentence – nine and a half years.

Christian Brown, of Meadow Way, Farnborough Park Estate, Locksbottom, Kent. DOB 26/05/1976. Arrested 07/06/2010. Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make counterfeit (£20) notes, conspiracy to make counterfeit coins, conspiracy to deliver counterfeit coins, conspiracy to deliver counterfeit (€50) notes, cultivation of cannabis and abstraction of electricity. Sentence – nine and a half years.

Mehmet Altinfincan, of Farmfield Road, Bromley, Kent. DOB 23/09/1983. Arrested 07/06/2010. Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make counterfeit (£20) notes, conspiracy to make counterfeit coins, conspiracy to deliver counterfeit coins, and supply of cannabis. Sentence – five and a half years.

Daniel Brown, of Bradley Road, Enfield, Middlesex. DOB 31/08/1977. Arrested 29/09/2010. Convicted at trial of conspiracy to deliver counterfeit (€50) notes. Sentence – two years.

Bekir Arif, of Perry St Gardens, Chislehurst, Kent. DOB 15/09/1953. Arrested 07/06/2010. Convicted at trial of conspiracy to make counterfeit coins and conspiracy to deliver counterfeit coins. Sentence – eight years. Arif had been released from prison on license in 2009, following a 1999 conviction for conspiracy to supply heroin.

Michael Charles, of Chesterton Road, London E13. DOB 07/09/1982. Arrested 15/09/2010. Convicted at trial of having custody or control of counterfeit (€50) notes. Due to be sentenced on 8 April.