Border Force seizes counterfeit coins

Border Force officers are investigating after they seized a total of £7,450 in counterfeit one pound coins.

The coins were discovered when officers at Dover's Eastern docks stopped two passengers travelling on a coach from Amsterdam on 30 July 2013.

After questioning them officers searched baggage and inside a suitcase found two large bags containing the coins.

Giuseppe Savoia and Norma Pitrolo appeared before Canterbury Magistrates Court on Thursday 1 August jointly charged with being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on importation of counterfeit protected coins.

Savoia was also separately charged with converting criminal property, namely counterfeit coins, by means of filling a gaming machine and converting to cash vouchers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Both withheld their pleas and were remanded in custody. They will next appear at Canterbury Crown Court on 27 August.

Paul Morgan, Director Border Force South East & Europe, said: "Border Force is at the forefront of the fight to stop illicit materials, of any kind, entering the UK.

"The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 was specifically designed to take the proceeds out of crime, making it harder for money to be laundered, and Border Force is determined to apply this legislation wherever possible to send a clear message to criminals and fraudsters at all levels."

Investigations by Border Force continue.