Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers have arrested three suspects believed to be part of a counterfeiting syndicate responsible for circulating fake currency in Diani, Mombasa.

The suspects identified as Fadhili Lawrence, Atemba Lawrence, and Electrine Okwako were apprehended at a hideout following forensic leads that linked them to the coordinated illegal operation.

During the raid, detectives said they recovered Ksh. 1.7 million in counterfeit money, largely in fake Ksh. 1,000 notes. 

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The detectives said the cash had been concealed inside a laptop bag wrapped with a white ribbon labelled “CBK 1000”, a ploy police say was designed to make the notes appear authentic.

"Preliminary investigations show that the three suspects are key cogs in a broader criminal network believed to be distributing fake cash along the coast," DCI said in a statement.

The trio are currently in custody awaiting arraignment as detectives intensify the manhunt for other members of the syndicate still at large.