Last Tuesday (9 April), officers from Essex Police executed a warrant at a rented industrial unit on Cranfield Park Road in Wickford.

The raid was the result of a joint investigation into counterfeit currency by the force’s Serious Economic Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency.

Anthony Grimes and Paul Jones were arrested at the unit, where officers discovered a variety of printing machinery including a litho press and guillotine.

Grimes is 62 and from Home Mead in Galleywood near Chelmsford.

Jones is 49 and is from the Elmington Estate in Camberwell, London.

The investigation followed intelligence regarding counterfeit Bank of England £20 notes that were being “sold on and laundered into profits”, Essex Police stated.

Grimes and Jones were charged with conspiring to make counterfeits of a currency note with intent.  

The two men will appear at Basildon Crown Court on 9 May.