Three people have been detained in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on suspicion of attempting to sell counterfeit US dollars in an operation involving the State Security Service, customs authorities and internal affairs agencies.

According to law enforcement authorities, the suspects are residents of the Toyloq district, born in 1996, 2002 and 2003. They allegedly sold counterfeit $100 banknotes with a total face value of $7,400 to a buyer acting under official supervision, The Caspian Post reports, citing UzDaily.

The transaction was worth 44 million soums. The suspects were detained as the money and banknotes were being handed over.

An investigation revealed that two of the detainees had previously been convicted. Preliminary information suggests that the counterfeit banknotes had been brought into Uzbekistan from Türkiye.

Pre-investigation inquiries are ongoing.

Law enforcement agencies are also taking measures to identify other individuals who may have been involved in the illegal activity.