Witness Describes Overwhelming Scale of Seizure as Cash and Jewellery Spill from Bags
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 — Court proceedings in the civil suit between Global Royalty Trading SAL and Rosmah Mansor have revealed striking details about the sheer scale of items seized during a 2018 police raid.
Former Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Amar Singh Ishar Singh testified that investigators were confronted with an overwhelming volume of valuables, making it impractical to conduct a full inventory at the scene.
He described how, upon opening the seized bags, large amounts of unbundled cash immediately spilled out, indicating that the contents had been packed without proper organisation.
“We initially intended to count the contents, but the moment the bags were opened, the volume was overwhelming. The cash was not bundled and fell onto the floor,” he said.
Amar explained that the situation forced investigators to defer detailed counting and documentation until the items could be moved to a more suitable location.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 71 bags, one plastic container, and 284 boxes of handbags, marking one of the most extensive hauls handled by authorities.
Although the bags were zipped, they were not locked, but the density of the contents made thorough inspection at the premises difficult.
He noted that the lack of proper facilities, including air-conditioning and adequate workspace, further complicated efforts to manage the large volume of seized items.
Among the findings were 35 large bags filled with cash in various denominations, requiring assistance from Bank Negara Malaysia for accurate counting and verification.
The jewellery collection — comprising diamonds and other precious stones — filled 25 large bags and a plastic box, necessitating expert evaluation as investigators lacked specialised training in gemology.
Amar also highlighted challenges in authenticating luxury goods such as Hermes handbags and high-end watches, due to the absence of appropriate tools and expertise at the scene.
To safeguard the integrity of the evidence, all items were carefully wrapped and transported in stages under heavy police escort to a secure facility at Bukit Aman.
A multi-layered security system, including a dual-key access protocol, was implemented to tightly control access to the seized materials.
The entire process of counting, cataloguing, and valuing the items took more than a month to complete, reflecting the complexity of the operation.
The trial continues before High Court judge Quay Chew Soon, with further testimony expected in upcoming sessions.
-wilayah.com.my
