Two teenagers charged in counterfeiting

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

Honolulu police charged two teenage boys and are looking for two others in connection with a counterfeiting investigation.

Capt. Alan Arita said police and federal Secret Service agents seized computer and printing equipment from a Kane'ohe home on Friday. The evidence seized identified the manufacturers and distributors, Arita said.

Police followed up the arrest of a boy, 14, Friday with the arrest of a 17-year-old boy on Saturday. Both have been charged as juveniles with first-degree forgery. Two other boys, ages 14 and 17, are still at large, Arita said.

The youths passed counterfeit $20, $10 and $5 bills totaling several hundred dollars, said Arita. Much of the fake money was passed at shopping malls. "They washed the money by getting younger kids to go get them change (with the fake bills)," Arita said.

In an unrelated case, police yesterday arrested two men, ages 46 and 44, and a 41-year-old woman at an airport-area hotel on suspicion of being in possession of illegal drugs, a gun and counterfeit money.

Police seized undisclosed amounts of crystal methamphetamine and marijuana, and a .22-caliber revolver. The counterfeit money consisted of a $100 bill with printing on only one side and several $20 bills.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8181.