Police in Lira City have netted seven youths for dealing in and circulating fake Ugandan currency notes.

The suspects who are believed to be part of a bigger racket operating in two other cities were busted at Independent Guest House, Ober Entebbe Cell in Lira City West Division.

Police have identified the suspects as Eric Ocen, Alex Okello, Yassin Onencan, Christopher Ocen, Stephen Opiyo, Francis Anywar, and Nixon Ocen.

Jimmy Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga Police Spokesperson says the group was picked up on August 09, 2022, following an intelligence-led operation. The operation was carried out after locals complained of increased circulation of counterfeit currency within the Lira and Lango sub-region.

He says Police found the suspects in possession of 5,000 and 50,000 Shillings counterfeit currency notes worth Shillings 14.1m and liquid products used to make the notes.

Okema adds that the suspects have since confessed to working with colleagues in Soroti and Gulu Cities and adds that police have commenced investigations in the three cities to arrest the remaining suspects.