Kolkata, 09 March (H.S.) : Seven people, including a couple from West Bengal, have been arrested after counterfeit currency with a face value of around ₹70 crore was seized during a raid at a flat near Kolkata, officials said on Monday.

The operation was carried out jointly by the Nepal Police and the West Bengal Police.

According to officials, the raid took place at an apartment within the Kamarhati municipal area in Belgharia. During the search, investigators recovered counterfeit notes with a face value of nearly ₹70 crore stored in iron trunks. Twelve mobile phones and a luxury car were also seized from the flat.

Among those arrested are local resident Deepa Dhar and her husband Arindam Dhar. While Deepa is from the Belgharia area, Arindam is reported to be a resident of Harinavi in Sonarpur. The couple got married a few years ago.

Investigators said the couple had travelled to Nepal in 2024 and are suspected to have become involved in the counterfeit currency racket during that period.

Officials said the accused allegedly contacted businessmen through video calls, displaying bundles of fake currency and luring them into investment schemes promising unusually high returns.

According to investigators, the suspects claimed that the invested money would double within a short period. Authorities suspect that the racket could be linked to a larger international counterfeit currency smuggling network.

Police said one Nepalese national is also among the seven arrested. All the accused are currently being questioned to trace the source of the fake currency and identify other members of the network.

Local residents claimed the flat had already gained attention in the neighbourhood due to frequent gatherings and lavish parties held there.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh