Following unexpected checks, a man was arrested last week in Paris, in possession of numerous banknotes. The search of his home led to the discovery of nearly 130,000 euros in fake bills, said AFP citing a police source.

According to AFP, "this is the largest known seizure of counterfeit banknotes of this type of counterfeit in Europe". The suspect, a 43-year-old Senegalese in an irregular situation, was arrested in the Halles district after a brief chase on foot. In his pockets, the police discovered an envelope containing 200 counterfeit notes and decided to place him in custody. At his home in Pantin (Seine-Saint-Denis), "more than 1,000 good quality banknotes of 100, 50 and 20 euros were then found", according to the police source. Already known to the police for various offenses related to the use of narcotics, rebellion and concealment of theft, the man claimed to be "just a mule" within this counterfeit money trafficking. He was placed in police custody, on charges including possession and transport of counterfeit money in an organized gang, use of false administrative documents and money laundering.