Spanish authorities have been investigating the group since 2010, according to a news release from Interpol. In June 2011, the Spanish National Police seized 1.018 tons of cannabis and arrested 11 suspects. Subsequent investigations, which resulted in another 14 arrests, then focused on counterfeiters, who distributed more than €2 million in fake bills in 20 countries.
The illegal currency print shop was found at a canned food distribution company. According to Europol, the owner used the company as a cover to print counterfeit bills in the amount of €50. Other criminal associates imported false bills from Italy in denominations of €20, €50, €100.
Europol, as the European central office for the protection of the euro, coordinated the investigation between the European Union countries. As a result, the counterfeiting machinery machines were seized, as was €1.5 million. Police officers also confiscated materials to falsify Spanish identification documents.
The European police agency says the investigation continues and will yield more arrests.
