Overview
- Irvine police say two counterfeit $100 bills dusted with white powder were found inside the store on Feb. 7, after which two employees reported dizziness and were evaluated as a precaution.
- Hazmat testing identified the powder as ephedrine, a medication that can also be used as a methamphetamine precursor, according to police and cited experts.
- A second report on Feb. 10 involved additional counterfeit bills located in shopping carts at the same store, and those bills did not contain powder, police said.
- Health department officials inspected the Albertsons and deemed it safe to remain open, and the company says it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
- Irvine police sent the seized currency to Orange County's crime lab and urged the public to avoid handling suspicious items and to contact authorities.