Sonepur: Police in Odisha’s Sonepur district seized fake Indian currency notes (FICN) with a face value of Rs 8.47 lakh and arrested two persons in connection with the case.

According to police, the seizure was made on the night of April 14 during a routine patrolling operation under the Sonepur Police Station limits. A team led by Sub-Inspector Anil Behera intercepted a suspicious SUV near Block Chhak.

During the search of the vehicle, police found a blue carry bag in the possession of the occupants. Upon checking, the bag contained 1,695 fake currency notes of Rs 500 denomination.

The accused have been identified as Abhilash Purusottam Satapathy alias Libun (21) of Jakhapur in Jajpur district and Prasant Das (34) of Mardarajpur under Khanpa police limits in Nayagarh district. Both were taken into custody at the spot.

Police also seized the vehicle and two mobile phones from the accused.

During interrogation, the duo reportedly confessed that they had procured the fake currency from Bargarh district and were circulating it in Sonepur and nearby areas.

A case has been registered at Sonepur Police Station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The accused were produced in court on Wednesday.

Further investigation into the incident is underway.