THE Sabah Immigration Department has detained a 46-year-old woman in connection with the seizure of RM13 million during anti-vice raids at a hotel and apartment in Kota Kinabalu on Friday.

The woman is the wife of one of two local men detained in the predawn raids four days ago. A Filipino man and 17 women from China and the Philippines have also been detained.  

Immigration Department director-general Mustafar Ali said she was arrested at an apartment about noon today.

“We are looking into all angles and this involves (the cooperation of) other agencies.

“The Companies Commission, Inland Revenue Board and the police are also looking into this case,” he said in Kota Kinabalu today.

A total of RM13,563,227.60 was seized at the two locations, with RM1.1 million found in the apartment, Mustafar said.

He said the cash was found stashed inside a privately operated spa at the hotel and one of the arrested men’s apartment.

“The cash was found in boxes on the bed and drawers at the two locations. 

“We believe the cash had been accumulated over years as we went through some of the spa’s records, which showed that the money could be traced back to 2008.”

Mustafar said he believed more than 10 laws, including the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001, have been breached in this case.

He said some of the foreign women detained did not have documents or had overstayed in Sabah.

“The other agencies are trying to determine whether the man violated other laws. For example, the Inland Revenue Board is checking the company’s financial records,” he said. – November 28, 2017.