Tunisia – Arrest of two foreigners for money laundering and counterfeiting of euro and dollar notes

The sub-direction of the judicial police in the National Security district of Ariana achieved a successful operation during a Public Security patrol on December 2, 2023, in the Ennasr district, resulting in the arrest of two individuals from a sub-Saharan African country who were found in a car. Upon searching one of them, a sum of 250 euros in counterfeit notes was discovered.

According to the Interior Ministry report, further investigation at the headquarters revealed that one of the individuals possessed video footage where he was seen communicating with an acquaintance in a neighbouring country, displaying notes totalling 5 million dollars. He claimed to have significant quantities of counterfeit dollars in a neighboring country and admitted involvement in a gang consisting of sub-Saharan African nationals and individuals from a neighboring country. This gang was responsible for producing large quantities of $100 notes, which were then sold to other parties at half their face value.

After additional inquiry and in coordination with the Ariana Prosecutor’s Office, a raid was conducted at the suspects’ residence in the Mnihla area. A thorough search led to the seizure of a sum of money totalling 4,300 euros and 80 one-dollar bills.