A Pembroke man yesterday pleaded guilty to printing $2,000 in counterfeit notes from his home computer.

Joshua Santucci was able to reproduce 40 US$50 bills before his parole officer caught him with the phony money, and reported the 19-year-old to Police.

He admitted the offence in Magistrates' Court yesterday, when he also confessed to a second charge of having the notes in his possession.

Santucci was charged alongside 20-year-old Roniko Outerbridge, who admitted possessing 16 of the fake bills.

Senior Crown counsel Paula Tyndale told the court that on March 16 Santucci reported to his parole officer to answer charges that he breached conditions of bail on a separate matter.

She said Santucci was instructed to remove his jacket before going into the interviewing room.

The parole officer searched the jacket and found a wallet containing 29 US$50 notes all bearing the same serial number, GF50643258A.

A search of Santucci's house produced 13 additional fake bills along with a computer and a printer, all of which were seized by the Police.

In an interview two days later, Santucci admitted making 40 US$50 notes in his home on his computer.

He said he used the money to purchase a number of things including drugs and taxi rides.

Police have since received four separate complaints from taxi drivers who said they were paid with Santucci's counterfeit notes.

Santucci is currently in jail on a separate matter. He is due to be released in May.

Magistrate Archibald Warner remanded Santucci in custody until sentencing, on May 21. Outerbridge was bailed until May 21 pending a Social Inquiry Report.