Police ranks on Tuesday stopped a car on the Helena Public Road at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara and found suspected counterfeit money but the suspect fled.
A statement from the police said that ranks observed a car bearing registration number PAB 5372, coming off the Mahaica bridge and turning north onto the Mahaica old road.
The ranks became suspicious and one of them pursued the car which was stopped and escorted to the roadblock. A search was then conducted on the vehicle and a male passenger (age, correct name, and occupation unknown at this time), was the lone occupant seated in the front passenger seat.
The statement said that the passenger was asked to declare the property he had in his pocket and he took out a quantity of Guyana currency comprising five thousand dollar bills. While the ranks were making a physical check of the currency/ bills which were suspected to be counterfeit, the man made a sudden run into a nearby street and escaped. The ranks gave chase but he managed to elude them.
The driver of the vehicle was searched but nothing of evidential value was found. He was arrested and placed in custody pending investigations, and the car was lodged.
The suspected forged currency was counted and amounted to $280,000 which was of the suspected counterfeit $5000 notes. There was also $13,000 cash (Guyana currency) which were of $1000, $500, $100, and $20 notes. The investigation is continuing.
