Three Midlands men have been jailed for their roles in a £160,000 counterfeit £20 note conspiracy, after Warwickshire Police uncovered a large haul of fake currency during a traffic stop on the M45 near Coventry in July 2022.
Officers stopped a Renault Clio and discovered £148,000 worth of counterfeit £20 notes on the back seat. The driver, Dominic Licursi, was later linked to a wider criminal network that distributed fake cash across the region.
Police intercept and linked seizures
Police messages later revealed that Licursi had travelled to Essex to collect the notes. One text read: "Make sure it is Dom, bro. I do not deal with no-one else." The message indicated that Licursi was the designated courier for the operation.
Later that month, officers found an additional £16,000 of fake £20 notes in an Audi in Redditch. Daniel Fitzpatrick was a passenger in that vehicle, and the serial numbers on those notes matched the ones seized from Licursi's car, confirming they came from the same batch.
A third conspirator, James Hales, was caught referring to the counterfeit cash as 'crumpled up' notes in messages. Some of the fake money was used to buy drinks at a bar, according to police evidence presented in court.
Sentences handed down at Warwick Crown Court
Licursi, 35, of Stonnall Road, Walsall, was described as the key figure in the operation. He was convicted by a jury and sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.
Fitzpatrick, 36, of Rugby, pleaded guilty to his involvement and received a four-year jail term. Hales, 36, of Shirley, was given a suspended 36-month sentence.
Investigation outcome and impact
The case was heard at Warwick Crown Court, where the judge heard how the counterfeit operation had the potential to cause significant financial harm to businesses and the public. The seizure of £148,000 in one stop prevented a substantial quantity of fake currency from entering circulation.
The sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences and the coordinated nature of the conspiracy, which stretched from Essex to the West Midlands. Police have not indicated whether further arrests are expected in connection with the case.
