International Falls, MN (KROC-AM News) - Federal authorities are reporting the discovery of close to a million dollars in counterfeit $1 dollar bills in a rail car at the Canadian border crossing in International Falls.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency says the shipment of counterfeit currency originated in China and was found last month when the rail car was referred for an inspection. Agents then discovered 45 cartons containing 900,000 bogus bills.

“CBP officers strive every day to protect the United States from a variety of threats,” said Jason Schmelz, Pembina Area Port Director. “Those threats don’t always come in the form of terrorists or narcotics, but also in the form of counterfeit currency and other goods that have the potential to harm the economy of the United States. Thanks to the dedication of our officers and our partnership with the Secret Service, we were able to keep this currency from entering into circulation.”

The counterfeit currency was turned over to the U.S. Secret Service, which has jurisdiction to investigate the case.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
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