JOHOR BARU: A husband and wife have been arrested at the Causeway checkpoint here for allegedly carrying nearly RM3mil in undeclared cash.
Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) Deputy director-general (operations) Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir said the couple, aged 42 and 41, were detained at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex at 11.40am on Tuesday (Oct 27).
He said the suspects were travelling in a white multi-purpose vehicle in the lane heading towards Woodlands, Singapore, when they were flagged down for inspection.
"The AKPS officers became suspicious of the driver’s behaviour during questioning and instructed him to open the vehicle’s storage compartments and passenger seats for inspection.
"This led to the discovery of RM1,971,697 in Malaysian currency and S$300,000 (RM955,538)," he said in a press conference at BSI on Wednesday (Oct 28).
SAC Nasaruddin said the cash was found in the front passenger area and packed in three boxes, a canvas bag and a black backpack.
"The couple, who are businessmen, claimed they were traveling as tourists into Singapore and we are investigating the reason for carrying the large amount of funds," he said.
He added that the suspects, cash and vehicle have been handed over to the Customs Department for further action.
SAC Nasaruddin reminded travellers that cash and other monetary instruments exceeding US$10,000 or its equivalent must be declared when entering or leaving the country.
"Failure to declare the funds is an offence that can be investigated and prosecuted under the Customs Act 1967," he said.
