Brussels, 01/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Bogota, the capital of Colombia, the Colombian police have seized some €11 million-worth of false euro banknotes, the biggest seizure of counterfeit euros outside Europe, announced European police cooperation body Europol on Friday 29 August 2008. In a press release, Europol explains that the biggest seizure of counterfeit euro banknotes was carried out on Thursday 28 August in Bogota. A raid was organised at a clandestine printshop where false €200 and €500 notes were being printed, adds Europol. The police operation was carried out by Colombian police supported by a Spanish team of investigators and Europol. The person operating the illegal press was arrested and counterfeit notes of a face value of more than €11 million were seized, explains Europol, quoting a specialist as saying that the false notes were of high quality. The plan had been to use the notes in Europe. Europol director Max-Peter Ratzel said the operation had been an excellent example of close cooperation and trust between Colombia, Spain and Europol. In February 2005, Europol signed a strategic cooperation deal with Colombia to counter organised crime. (B.C.)