The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man following the discovery of a suspected counterfeit dollar production centre in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

Police operatives reportedly recovered three bags filled with suspected fake United States dollar notes during a raid on a property at Kiniso Village, near Ajue, on October 29.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the development in a statement released on Tuesday, explaining that the operation followed a complaint lodged by a man identified as Yusuf Nasiru.

Nasiru had reported to the police on October 28 that two men, identified as Peter Desmond and Olami Toro, allegedly approached his shop on October 25 with an offer to exchange dollars for naira.

According to the complainant, he handed over $6,000, estimated at about ₦8.6 million, to the men. However, the duo later returned what appeared to be the same dollar notes, claiming they could not raise enough naira to complete the transaction.

It was only after examining the money more closely that Nasiru allegedly discovered the returned notes were counterfeit, prompting him to report the incident to the authorities.

Following an investigation, officers attached to the Okitipupa Divisional Police Headquarters reportedly tracked one of the suspects, Desmond, to a location in Kiniso Village through intelligence gathering and technical surveillance.

The subsequent raid led to the arrest of one person, while other individuals at the premises reportedly escaped by jumping over the perimeter fence. Police also recovered three bags of suspected fake dollar notes and a small wooden box from the property.

The arrested suspect is currently assisting investigators with information as the police work to uncover others allegedly involved in the operation.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed officers to intensify efforts to identify and arrest all those connected to the suspected counterfeiting business.

The command has also cautioned residents against falling victim to suspicious foreign exchange deals, advising them to verify dollar notes and conduct currency transactions through recognised and authorised channels.