Married couple caught smuggling S$918,000 in ringgit & S'pore dollars from JB to S'pore

A married couple from Malaysia tried to smuggle about RM3 million (S$918,000) into Singapore via the Causeway, but their attempt was foiled owing to the male driver's suspicious behaviour.

The incident occurred at Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI), the checkpoint in Johor Bahru, on Oct. 27, New Straits Times reported.

The suspects, identified as entrepreneurs aged 41 and 42, were detained by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA).

Driver suspicious

Officers stopped the vehicle for inspection after its driver aroused suspicion, it was reported.

The driver was ordered to open the luggage compartment and passenger seating area.

The cash was found during checks on the Toyota Alphard at the BSI Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex by three officers.

The couple told officers they were travelling to Singapore for a holiday.

Officers found RM1,971,697 (S$617,999) and S$300,000 (RM955,441) in the vehicle stashed in three boxes, a paper bag, and a black backpack.

The couple, cash, and vehicle were handed over to the Customs Department and an investigation is underway.

Cash exceeding US$10,000 (RM40,826 or S$12,820) must be declared when taken out of or brought into Malaysia.