Cops needed one month to sift through confiscated items

KUALA LUMPUR: It took over a month for some 150 personnel to go through all the items seized from six premises linked to former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Seri Amar Singh said police and experts toiled from May 21 to June 25 – through the Hari Raya holidays – to analyse, authenticate and value the thousands of items.

“Many asked why it took so long. It was a huge amount and we had to do it slowly and carefully to ensure the integrity of the evidence.

“We set up eight special task forces comprising experts as well as police officers, who acted as photographers and helped to analyse the items,” he told the press at the CCID headquarters yesterday.

Comm Amar explained that the standard operating procedure stipulated that any counting, authenticating and valuing should be done at the premises searched.

“But if the amount of seized items is too great or the officer-in-charge is of the opinion that there is no logistical support and the integrity of the seizure could be compromised if they continue at the premises, a decision would be made to seal the items and bring them to a secure location,” he said.

He said the money, gold, jewellery, handbags, watches and sunglasses were now in safekeeping at Bank Negara’s vault.