Cops in warning on phoney banknotes
THOUSANDS of dollars in counterfeit $ 50 notes could be in circulation in Townsville after police busted an alleged fake cash production operation in a suburban home.
Townsville police have in recent months been investigating reports of counterfeit notes being used at various retailers across the city.
On Sunday, police executed a search warrant at a Deeragun property where they allegedly found fake money and printers believed to be used to make the money.
Jaiden Ross Harvey, 18, ap- peared in Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday and was remanded in custody until March 1.
He has been charged with 10 offences including fraud, making, possessing and using counterfeit money, possessing a drug utensil and possession of a counterfeiting instrument in the form of a printer.
A 39- year- old woman has also been charged in relation to the money and will appear in court at a later date.
Townsville Property Crime Unit detective Senior Constable Brett Gatehouse said it would be alleged the pair were using the money for themselves and had also passed it on to associates to be used.
He said the fake money they recovered was of reason- THE Townsville Bulletin is encouraging a new generation of newshounds with its educational resource for schools.
Two new major sponsors will allow the Newspapers in Education program to run in every school in North Queensland.
James Cook University and Queensland Country Credit Union have joined with Inspire as principal partners of the eight- page educational liftout, allowing it to be even more interactive with Townsville schools than ever before.
Inspire is a weekly segment especially for young readers that doubles as a classroom resource for teachers.
The educational supplement publishes news, letters and stories written by local students and gives kids the opportunity to see their work in print.
Professor Robyn McGuiggan, Deputy Vice- Chancellor Global Strategy and Engagement, said Inspire aligned perfectly with JCU’s commitment to working with key stakeholders across the region to raise aspirations and support young people in the community to achieve their education and career goals. YOUNG Australians can now apply for the National Indigenous Youth Parliament.
The NIYP is a week- long leadership program in Canberra, giving people aged 16 to 25 an opportunity to learn about government and leadership.
Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said six young Queenslanders would be chosen to attend the program, which will run from May 23 to 29.
“Participants will receive training in public speaking and in dealing with the media,” he said.
“The young parliamentarians will learn from the nation’s leaders, members of the parliamentary press gallery, indigenous leaders and senior public servants.” able quality and could easily be missed by busy staff.
“Generally, ( they are being used) at businesses with a high turnover of cash as in nightclubs, service stations and fast food outlets, whereas small businesses may have time to feel the quality of the notes and would probably pick it up quickly.
“But a number of notes have even passed through as far as going through to accounting stages.”
Sen- Constable Gatehouse said police believed there was more counterfeit money in circulation, with fake notes recovered so far valued into the thousands of dollars. He said the investigation was onoing with more arrests possible. FOUR newly minted NSW ministers yesterday refused to pledge allegiance to the Queen as Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s new Cabinet was sworn in.
The group — Innovation Minister Matt Kean, Disability Services Minister Ray Williams, Roads Minister Melinda Pavey ( pictured) and new Attorney- General Mark Speakman — instead swore allegiance to NSW. Mr Williams, who says he had ancestors on the First Fleet, said Britain had rejected his family. “When they strapped one of my ancestors down ... and sent them over to Australia, they didn’t want us there any more,” he said.
“The money is still turning up at various businesses,” he said.
“They can be identified by their feel, texture and weight.
“If you’re not sure, look at the features on the note such as the clear windows, the safeguards, the metal stripes and the numbers.”
He said some of the notes even had the Southern Cross stars upside down.
Police are not aware if other fake denominations of notes are being circulated.
Serial numbers that are being used on the counterfeit notes include BM08823662, CC13484208 and FF05602380.
If you find or suspect you have one of the fake banknotes contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.