Scooting off with millions

Trio arrested in connection with robbery of moneychanger

JOHOR BARU: Three men high on the wanted list have been arrested in connection with the robbery of a moneychanger who was transporting about Rm1.6mil to Singapore in a scooter.

The suspects, aged between 30 and 40, were picked up in a series of raids around the city and in Negri Sembilan.

A senior police officer confirmed the arrests, adding that the suspects had been remanded to assist in investigations.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspects had records for armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

Acting on the report lodged by the moneychanger, a special task force was formed.

Police were tight-lipped on the details of the case but it is learnt that the moneychanger had been trailed by the suspects for some distance before they struck.

Sources revealed that as the victim was about to reach the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ), his machine was intercepted by two cars.

The victim lost control and fell before being surrounded by several parang-wielding men.

One of the suspects then rode off on the machine to an undisclosed location before prising open the strong box containing the money.

The victim, who suffered minor injuries, then lodged a report.

Police recovered the scooter near the beach and investigations led them to the first arrest in Negri Sembilan.

Meanwhile, a Customs source said millions of ringgit were being taken out via the Johor Baru and Second Link CIQ into Singapore without proper documentation.

The source said moneychangers used motorcycles to transport the money to their outlets in the republic, especially during peak hours since it would be difficult for the authorities to check all vehicles.

“It is an offence to transport more than US$10,000 (RM30,240) out of the country without approval from Bank Negara,” the sources added.

The offence could be investigated under the Exchange Controls Actandthe Anti-money Laundering Act.