Detectives claimed to have busted a fake Indian currency manufacturing unit and arrested eight suspected gang members from Dhaka's Sabujbagh area this afternoon.

The officials also recovered notes worth 41 lakh rupee and counterfeit note producing equipment during the drive, said Mashiur Rahman, deputy commissioner of Detective Branch (North Division) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

The arrestees are: Bashir Uddin (51), the ring leader; Moniruzzaman (35), Monir Hossain (32), Abdul Quader (62), Enamul Haque Ashari (32), Akbar Ali (30), Kabir Hossain (35) and Sohel Mahmud (28).

The gang had been running this operation -- renting out flats in Sabujbagh and other parts of the city for a while, detectives said. 

In primary interrogation, the arrestees admitted that they had a plan to sell one crore rupees monthly to their Indian counterparts in the borders, Mashiur said.

According to detectives, fake notes are produced and circulated in several phases.

Of the arrestees, Monir Hossain and Moniruzzaman used to run the unit, Al Amin used to supply special papers and other ingredients while Kabir and Sohel did the printing, they said.  

Enamul and Akbar used to buy the notes from ringleader Bashir -- one lakh fake currency with Tk 21,000. They used to sell those at Tk 25,000 to their Indian associates through Chapainawabganj bordering areas, the officials said.  

Detectives claimed Bashir, once an assistant of another such fake note producing unit, decided to set up one by himself to make fast money.

A case was filed with Sabujbagh Police Station in this connection.