Two defendants are due to stand trial on 25 November before the Provincial Court of La Rioja on suspicion of counterfeiting money. The Public Prosecutor’s Office is seeking 11 years in prison and a fine of €3,000 for each of them. It accuses them of producing counterfeit banknotes and trying to put them into Calahorra circulation in
The Spanish news agencies Europa Press and EFE reported on 15 November on the upcoming trial. According to EFE, a hearing initially scheduled for 4 November was postponed. The allegations concern events in July 2021; the current development is the new court date in November 2026. No verdict has been reached.
According to the indictment as reported by the agencies, the two defendants are said to have agreed to use counterfeit notes for unlawful financial gain. Attempts to pay with them at two shops in Calahorra are said to have failed because staff recognised the banknotes as fake. The local police were notified. The defendants are also said to have tried to settle a debt with a livestock farmer using counterfeit money ; he also noticed the fraud.
While searching the vehicle in which the two had been travelling, police officers found four counterfeit €50 notes between the right-hand seat and the centre console, according to Europa Press. The report also said the car contained holographic strips, adhesive tape and scissors. The prosecution links these items to the production and alteration of banknotes.
During a more thorough search, the Guardia Civil found two more envelopes in the vehicle, according to both agencies. They contained 34 counterfeit €50 notes, three counterfeit €20 notes and five counterfeit €10 notes. Their face value totalled €1,810; the four notes found earlier are not included in this figure.
EFE also reports that a forensic examination confirmed that the seized banknotes were counterfeit. The notes lacked security features found on genuine banknotes. Both defendants were adults and had no previous convictions.
The prison sentences and fines are sought by the public prosecutor; they have not already been imposed. The court must decide on the charges, and both defendants are presumed innocent.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).