Tampa Police: Drug Probe Yields Counterfeit Cash

By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune
Published: October 31, 2007

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Manuel Leiva-Orozco

Tampa police say they found $4,100 in counterfeit U.S. currency on two men Tuesday night during a narcotics investigation.

Manuel Leiva-Orozco, 34, and Fermin Morales-Crespo, 48, both of West Palm Beach, face a felony count of possession of 10 or more counterfeit bills. Morales-Crespo also faces a felony count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The men told authorities they were on parole or probation and that they bought the bills in West Palm Beach for 25 cents on the dollar, an arrest affidavit states.

They were arrested at 7:30 p.m. at 423 W. Louisiana Ave. in Tampa.

Leiva-Orozco is not a U.S. citizen, the affidavit states.

Fermin Morales-Crespo

Morales-Crespo also was arrested on a Palm Beach County warrant on charges of misdemeanor battery and shoplifting.