Nine suspects have been presented to judges in French Polynesia's criminal court accused of producing and distributing fake French Pacific Franc notes.
Photo: Tahiti Tourism
The nine were arrested last week following a three-month police investigation, triggered by complaints from shop owners.
Six of them have been placed in remand until their trial on 11 March.
They are alleged to have used a photocopier to make fake bills totalling about $US30,000.
For half a year, they reportedly produced several batches of notes, initially using them at food outlets and shops but then also to buy drugs.
The counterfeit notes - many of which had identical serial numbers - were put into circulation in Tahiti.
If convicted, they risk being jailed for up to 10 years.