PORT ANGELES — An investigation into counterfeit bills that showed up in the Port Angeles area has been turned over to the Secret Service, the Department of the Treasury’s law enforcement arm.
Brian King, chief criminal deputy of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, also confirmed Tuesday that the source of the fake money has been traced to an Interstate 5 corridor counterfeiting ring.
The money is thought to have come from a member or members of that ring who spent the money at Port Angeles businesses while visiting the area, King said.
No local ties or sources have been found, King said, adding that no additional counterfeit cash has been found since several “high-quality” fakes were reported to area law enforcement officers between March 18-25.
A Secret Service employee who answered the agency’s Seattle office phone said three investigations into counterfeit money in the Port Angeles area are in progress.
He declined to provide additional information or identify himself.
Sheriff’s deputies, Port Angeles police and Lower Elwha police each have received a handful of reports of counterfeit $10, $20 and $50 bills, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Walmart store east of Port Angeles received $400 in counterfeit $20 and $50 bills March 18.
Two people who used counterfeit bills there helped investigators determine that the money came from people who live off the North Olympic Peninsula, King said.
Port Angeles police stopped two people who used a counterfeit $50 bill in downtown Port Angeles last Wednesday.
It was determined that they had received the $50 as change and were not aware it was counterfeit, police said.
Many of the bills passed at area businesses had identical serial numbers.
Several $10 bills were marked with the serial number JD80187995A, and several $20 bills were marked with MD36540722B.
Fake bills also have been reported in Skagit County. Eight Anacortes businesses have reported either receiving or turning away the fake money.
Those who think they have received counterfeit money are asked to call 360-452-4545.
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
