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Counterfeit money factory uncovered

Farm building at Tonge
Farm building at Tonge

by Nicola Forman

A counterfeit cash-production factory and thousands of fake £1 coins have been uncovered at a farm in a quiet country village.
Police discovered the coins during a raid on a building at Tonge Corner Farm in Tonge, just outside Bapchild.
Police also found a machine which they believe was used to make the fake money.
Neighbours said they did not have a clue what was going on.
The said they had heard what they thought was the noise of an extractor fan but nothing else.
One, who asked not to be named, said not long after police cars were seen at the farm that rumours started.
He said: “I used to see people come and go from the farm but never thought anything of it.
“I saw the police raid the building, just loads of police cars and then the rumours started.”
The farm is owned by Tim Holt and his father Derek, but the building was rented out.
Mr Holt said he did not have a clue anything out of the ordinary was going on.
He said the farm had been in the family for almost 40 years and the barn had been rented by the same person for the last five or six years.
Police confirmed that “thousands of pounds of counterfeit coins and a press machine were found” during the raid on Wednesday, May

  • Fourmen were arrested and three charged with possessing, producing and manufacturing counterfeit coins.
    They are 69-year-old Michael Silk of Sanderling Way, Iwade, 48-year-old Stephen Silk of Orchard Cottages, Borden, and 64-year-old Paul Bart, of Stanborough Avenue, Boreham Wood, Hertfordshire.
    They have been remanded in custody to appear at Sittingbourne Magistrates on Friday, June 12.
    A 61-year-old Sheerness man has been bailed until July 2, pending further inquiries.
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