A MAN who turned a Minster bungalow into a “cottage industry” for producing fake currency worth £1.3m has been jailed for six years.

Colin Edgar, 30, of Warden Road, Eastchurch, admitted three offences of making counterfeit currency with intent and two of having fake euros between December 2002 and April this year.

The forged currency found at the bungalow in Cliff Gardens, Minster, comprised counterfeit 50 euro notes, plus English £20 and £50 notes. The face value amounted to £1.3m.

Edgar, who appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, was also charged with an outstanding offence from 2003 relating to a Metropolitan Police operation involving the production of counterfeit euros with a face value of £300 000. At the time he absconded while on bail.

Eight officers from the National Crime Squad, using two cars, raided the white bungalow in Minster on March 31 as part of an eight-month investigation codenamed Operation Bardsea. The operation was run with support from the National Criminal Intelligence Service.

Detectives recovered counterfeit euro notes, computers, paper, hot foil, and a hot foil machine from the property. Edgar and a woman were arrested during the operation, but the woman was later released without charge.

Edgar remained silent as Judge Anthony Balston said: "This does severe damage to the economies of countries whose notes are forged.”

Det Insp Kim Jones, of the National Crime Squad, likened Edgar’s set-up to a cottage industry.

He said: "Edgar had rented a bungalow for the purpose of producing counterfeit euros. As with the production of any other counterfeit currency, the potential for undermining the economic stability in Europe was one which we took very seriously. We are pleased with today's outcome."

A proceeds of crime hearing will be held at Maidstone Crown Court on September 24.