Bags seized during a 2018 raid at Pavilion Residences were so full of cash and jewellery that their contents spilled out when opened, the High Court heard today.
Former Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Amar Singh said the scale of the haul made it impractical to conduct a full inventory at the scene.
Testifying in a civil suit by Global Royalty Trading SAL against Rosmah Mansor, Amar described the May 2018 operation at a luxury condominium linked to Najib Razak.
“During our first inspection at Unit B-45-02 after we found the bags, initially we wanted to count [the cash inside] each of them, but the minute we opened up, it was just overwhelming.
“Cash spilt out onto the floor since they were not bundled up, and we had to push them back into the bags.
“The jewellery bags were also full to the brim, and there were just too many,” he testified.
Amar said 71 bags, one plastic box and 284 boxes of handbags were seized on 17 May 2018. Although the bags were zipped, they were not locked, allowing officers to inspect them. However, the volume of items made detailed tabulation at the unit level impossible.
He added that the premises lacked air-conditioning and suitable facilities for counting, valuation and documentation. The cash alone filled 35 large bags and required expertise and equipment from Bank Negara Malaysia.
The jewellery — including diamonds and gemstones — occupied 25 large bags and a plastic box, and required specialist assessment.
“The police team also did not have the expertise to verify and tabulate the serial numbers of the Hermes bags and expensive watches,” he said.
To secure the exhibits, the bags were wrapped in cling film and moved in batches to the lobby before being transported under heavy police escort to a lock-up at Bukit Aman, equipped with CCTV and layered access controls.
“The police personnel manning the lock-up are stationed at the lobby of the lock-up whilst the exhibits are all stored within a large confinement area containing several cells.”
Amar said a two-key system was used, with him controlling outer access and another officer, Ramli Mohd Nor, holding the individual cell keys.
“Each time the exhibits are taken out as per the schedule of counting, tabulating or valuing both Ramli and I have to be present at the lock-up,” Amar said.
He added that the process of counting, tabulating and valuing the seized items took place from 21 May to 25 June. Proceedings before High Court judge Quay Chew Soon are ongoing.