Spanish authorities arrested a street vendor in Cádiz for allegedly importing 10,000 high-quality counterfeit two-euro coins from China and falsely declaring them as “ornamental” to evade customs controls.
The man was arrested on Tuesday in a joint operation by Spain’s National Police and Customs Surveillance, which began in January after customs officials flagged a suspicious package addressed to the suspect. When opened, officials discovered forged one- and two-euro coins labeled as decorative items. The coins’ high quality prompted further investigation.
Authorities determined that the vendor, who worked at a flea market, could have easily distributed the counterfeit currency to unsuspecting customers. A search of his home uncovered additional fake coins, and another package containing counterfeit currency was later seized from a relative’s warehouse in Cádiz.
Investigators said the man received the forged coins in five shipments, each containing 2,000 coins. He was arrested Tuesday and now faces prosecution.