Three men have been sentenced to five to eight years jail at the Court of First Instance for counterfeiting.

A 40-year-old man and a 32-year-old man were sentenced to six years' and five years' jail, while the second 32-year-old man was jailed eight years.

The court heard the trio were arrested after 3,450 counterfeit $500 banknotes and counterfeiting paraphernalia were seized in a Yuen Long flat on January 9, 2004.

The 40-year-old was charged with counterfeiting banknotes with intent, custody of counterfeit banknotes with intent, custody of counterfeiting implements with intent and possession of a dangerous drug.

The other two were charged with counterfeiting banknotes with intent and custody of counterfeit banknotes with intent.

The trio were found guilty at the Court of First Instance on May 6.