CHIANG RAI WOMAN ARRESTED OVER FAKE US DOLLARS

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CHIANG RAI WOMAN ARRESTED OVER FAKE US DOLLARS

A 54-year-old woman was arrested in Muang Chiang Rai on Thursday for allegedly attempting to sell fake US dollar banknotes.

Border Patrol Police deputy commander Pol Maj General Sunthorn Chalermkiat said on Friday that Masarat Nitisakyothin was found to have dollar notes in her possession worth the equivalent of Bt30 million.

She has maintained her innocence, saying the banknotes did not belong to her.

A 54-year-old woman was arrested in Muang Chiang Rai on Thursday for allegedly attempting to sell fake US dollar banknotes.

She was arrested in a sting operation led by Pol Colonel Wachira Payanoi, superintendent of the 32nd Border Patrol Police.

Posing as a buyer, Wachira was allegedly taken by Masarat to her house in tambon Rim Kok and shown the fake banknotes and a chemical liquid used to cleanse the notes of black ink that covered them.

He agreed to pay Bt4.3 million for the liquid and they allegedly settled on a 50:50 split of the take from the resale of the available banknotes.

Other police officers then appeared with a search warrant, apprehended Masarat and seized the fake banknotes, a safe box and a counting machine.

Masarat faces a charge of possessing fake or forged foreign banknotes.