<p>Photo used for representational purpose only<br></p>

THRISSUR: Police have seized fake currency notes and printing machines from the house of Yuva Morcha leader at Sree Narayanapuram near Kodungallur on Thursday.

The police said they have arrested Yuva Morcha leader Erassery Rakesh (31), son of Harshan at Sree Narayanapuram, in connection with the seizure.

BJP sources said Rakesh was a regional committee member of the Yuva Morcha. His brother Rajeev who was also suspected to be involved in the case, has was absconding. The party has expelled both of them, party district president A Nagesh said.

Police said they have seized fake currencies worth over Rs 1.31 lakh. The notes were of denominations of Rs 2,000 (65 notes) , Rs 500 (eight), Rs 50 (five) and Rs 20 (10), Chalakkudy DSP Shahul Hameed said.

The raids were carried out following intelligence inputs that Rakesh and Rajeev became rich in a short period.

Reports indicated that they were indulging in illegal money lending operations as well. The raids were initiated as part of the Operation Kubera launched by the police against illegal money lenders.

The brothers scanned valid currencies using computers and later took print-outs in bond papers, the police said. “The fake currencies looked genuine and it is difficult to identify them if transactions were done in a bunch,’’ said a senior police official who was monitoring the raid.

The fake notes were used for transactions at petrol pumps and at bars as well as for buying lotteries.

According to the police Rakesh was a BA degree holder and has completed a computer diploma course as well. He was working in Dubai for about five years and his father was also in the Gulf earlier.

