Currency exchange gang held

​Vijayawada: In a sting operation conducted in association with a leading Telugu TV channel, the police arrested 17 persons, including a woman, and seized Rs 6.8 lakh from them for allegedly exchanging withdrawn currency for new currency here on Sunday.

According to Commissioner of Police Gautam Sawang, the local gang persuaded some merchants of Eluru and tried to exchange currency for 20 to 30 per cent commission.

Seven merchants gave Rs 6.8 lakh to the gang for exchange. One of traders gave Rs 1.8 lakh to the gang, which was caught by cops in action. The woman, Keerti, who formed the gang, played a key role in exchange of currency.