Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — An employee of the Kosonsoy District Road Maintenance Enterprise was detained by officers of the State Security Service and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes while attempting to sell a counterfeit banknote with a face value of 20,000 US dollars for 14,000 genuine dollars.

During a joint sting operation, he was apprehended with material evidence while handing over 8,000 dollars in counterfeit bills to the buyer.

The investigation revealed that the fake currency had been obtained from a resident of Kosonsoy district born in 1985. During procedural actions, authorities also seized an additional 6,000 counterfeit dollars from this individual.

Further inquiry determined that the 1985-born citizen had received the forged money from another Kosonsoy resident born in 1992, who was likewise detained in accordance with legal procedures.

A criminal case has been initiated under Article 176, Part 3, Clause "a" of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. All suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention.

Initial investigative actions are currently ongoing.