The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBS) arrested a 27 person gang of European Union-wide counterfeiters passing off false euro notes.

Three hundred CBS agents took part in the sting action that resulted in the arrests of the gang, including the head, Radoslaw B., 29-years-old, a resident of Italy but originally from Chelmo, central Poland. The majority of those arrested were from around the Polish city of Lublin, eastern Poland.

Among those arrested are two Polish Army soldiers, a Prison Guard, and a citizen of Romania.

“The extent to which this criminal group operated in counterfeiting bank notes makes it the first of its kind in the EU that was so large and successful,” stated Andrzej Matejuk, Chief Police Inspector General.

The gang passed around mainly counterfeit 100 and 50 euro notes in Italy, Germany, Spain and France.

“Police, under Europol regulations, cooperated and exchanged information with their counterparts in those countries,” stated Mariusz Sokolowski, police spokesperson.

The CBS arrested 25 people in yesterday’s sting action and two additional gang members turned themselves into the police. The counterfeiters face up to ten years in prison. (mmj)