Fake $100 Bills with White Powder Found at Irvine Grocery Store

Albertsons employees fell ill after handling the counterfeit cash.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Employees at an Albertsons grocery store in Irvine, California discovered several fake $100 bills that contained a suspicious white powder, causing one worker to become sick. The Irvine Police Department was called and confirmed the powder tested positive for ephedrine, a drug often used to treat high blood pressure. A similar incident occurred later in the week at the same store when a shopper found more counterfeit bills in a shopping cart.

Why it matters

The discovery of fake currency laced with a potentially dangerous substance raises concerns about public safety and the integrity of the money supply. Grocery stores are a common place for counterfeit bills to circulate, and this incident highlights the need for heightened vigilance and security measures to protect both employees and customers.

The details

According to the Albertsons spokesperson, staff immediately called the police after identifying the fake bills and suspicious powder. The Irvine Police Department tested the substance and confirmed it was ephedrine. Officers said a similar incident occurred later in the week when a shopper at the same Albertsons store reported finding more counterfeit $100 bills in a shopping cart near the store entrance.

  • The initial incident occurred over the weekend.
  • A second incident with more fake bills was reported later in the same week.

The players

Albertsons

A major American grocery store chain that operates the location in Irvine where the fake bills were discovered.

Irvine Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incidents and confirmed the white powder was ephedrine.

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What they’re saying

“Once the issue was identified, we took immediate action and notified local law enforcement, and we are fully cooperating with their active investigation. We thank law enforcement for their swift response and our customers and associates for their cooperation.”

— Albertsons Spokesperson (cbsnews.com)

“A shopper at the same Albertsons reported to the manager that they found fake $100 bills in a shopping cart near the entrance of the store. They picked it up, put it back down, and just let the manager know.”

— Officer Ziggy Azarcon (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Irvine Police Department has sent the counterfeit bills to the Orange County crime lab for further analysis.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for heightened vigilance and security measures at grocery stores to protect employees and customers from the circulation of fake currency, especially when it may be laced with dangerous substances. Proper training and protocols for identifying and reporting counterfeit bills are crucial to maintaining a safe shopping environment.