Two men and a woman have denied defrauding 16 shops by using counterfeit €50 notes over the past few weeks.

Jordan Azzopardi, 26 from Iklin, Naomi Tanti, 21 from Birkirkara and Silvio Camilleri, 31 from Birkirkara were charged with making more than €500 in profit from the change they were given after using the fake notes to purchase items from the shops.

Police Inspector Jonathan Ferris told the court that the police began investigating the case on December 16 when it was informed about a gang of three or four people going round shops in Gozo using counterfeit €50 notes as payment. The targeted shops included pet shops, ironmongeries and mini markets. The report was filed by a shop owner who refused to accept the note to pay for two small soft drinks.

The three were arrested following a joint operation with the Gozo police. Searches at their residences yielded cannabis and cocaine.

The three were charged with conspiring to commit fraud and circulating counterfeit cash. Ms Tanti was further charged with aggravated possession of cocaine and possession of cannabis. The three also denied being relapsers.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared for Mr Azzopardi and Ms Tanti while lawyer Victor Bugeja appeared for Mr Camilleri. The three were remanded in custody.