Essex: Charges Over Fake Coins

25 May 2012, 11:10 | Updated: 25 May 2012, 13:35

Three men have been charged after more than £4 million worth of blank coins were seized in Essex, Hertfordshire and North London.

It happened during police raids on Wednesday (May 23rd). Two vehicles in Essex were also checked.

The seizure is thought to be the biggest recovery of counterfeit coins within the UK.

52 year-old Kevin Fisher, from St Georges, Rags Lane, Goffs Oak, Hertfordshire, Mark Abbot, who is 43 and from Cedars Park Drive in Edmonton and 27 year-old Daniel Sullivan from Bancroft Close in Hornchurch have been charged with conterfeiting and money laundering.

They have been remanded in custody to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court today.

Detective Inspector Bruce South, Projects Team at the Metropolitan Police, said: "This seizure is a significant blow to the network behind it; individuals clearly intent on undermining the UK monetary system by producing counterfeit currency on an industrial scale. 

"It is yet another example of the work this team is carrying out on a daily basis to tackle organised criminal networks."