(Washington, D.C.) - On October 16, 2014, the United States Secret Service Lima Resident Office supported the Peruvian National Police (PNP) in an operation in San Juan De Lurigancho, Lima and arrested Jose Ernesto Mandujiano-Torres on charges of possession with the intent to distribute foreign counterfeit obligations. Following the arrest, authorities seized $5,928,000 in counterfeit $100 Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs), $120,000 in counterfeit $50 FRNs, 55 negatives bearing banknote images of U.S., European, and South American currency, and miscellaneous paraphernalia used in the finishing and distribution of counterfeit currency.
“Our success in this case and other similar investigations is a result of our close work with our law enforcement partners,” said Secret Service Acting Director Joseph P. Clancy. “The dismantling of this counterfeit operation illustrates how law enforcement networks work together to prevent international organized crime.”
This represents one of the largest seizures of U.S. counterfeit currency in Peru. To date, the Secret Service Lima Resident Office and Secret Service Miami Field Office have supported PNP operations to suppress nine counterfeit plants associated with this particular counterfeit $100 FRN.
Since October 2012, the Secret Service has supported the PNP in the seizure of over $35 million in counterfeit U.S. currency in Peru and the arrests of 50 Peruvian nationals.
This case continues pending further investigation and judicial action.