JOHOR BARU: A married couple on their way to Singapore have been arrested at the Causeway checkpoint here for allegedly carrying nearly RM3mil in undeclared cash.
The couple, aged 42 and 41, were detained by Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) officers at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex at about 11.40am on Tuesday.
AKPS deputy director-general (operations) Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohd Nasaruddin M. Nasir said the suspects were travelling in a multi-purpose vehicle in the lane heading towards Woodlands 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 and S$300,000 (RM955,538),” he said at a press conference at BSI yesterday.
SAC Mohd Nasaruddin said the cash was found in the passenger seat area and packed in three boxes, a canvas bag and a black backpack.
“The couple, who are both entrepreneurs, claimed they were travelling as tourists into Singapore.
“We are investigating their reason for carrying the large amount of funds,” he said.
SAC Mohd Nasaruddin added that the suspects, cash and vehicle have been handed over to the Customs Department for further action.
He 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.
