Two University of Texas students have been charged with tampering with a government document, a third-degree felony, for selling fake IDs.
The Austin Police Department’s Metro Tactical Team has been working to crack down on underage drinking downtown. In just two nights, the unit caught more than 120 minors trying to use fake IDs to enter bars or clubs.
A few weeks ago, undercover officers made contact with 19-year-old University of Texas student Nisheet Dabadge, who agreed to sell an undercover officer an ID for $200. Police then discovered Dabadge had been working with another student, 20-year-old Raul Montano.
Police obtained search warrants and found magnetic strip encoders, a holographic image stamp maker and a UV lamp, among other ID-making materials at the students' apartments. Police say the projected street value of the completed blank ID cards seized is over $70,000. They believe the investigation will curtail the use of fake IDs and underage drinking all over the state.
"This investigation and this case is definitely going to have a direct impact in the downtown area as well as a direct impact on hopefully the lives of the students who are here to better themselves,” Justin Berry with the Austin Police Department said.
Police say they are currently analyzing the evidence.