POLICE seized about 350 designer handbags and luggage bags after a search lasting about 30 hours at a posh city condominium linked to Najib Razak.

The seized items filled five lorries – two were filled with luggage bags stuffed with cash, jewellery, and other valuable items, and three with designer handbags, among which were Hermes Birkins.

A total of 284 handbags and 72 luggage bags were impounded at the condominium unit, said police.

The condominium unit in Pavilion Residences in the city’s Golden Triangle is believed to belong to a “Tan Sri” linked to Najib. Police declined to reveal the name, saying “the owner is not important”.

It is learnt the name “FR Datin Cindy” is handwritten on all the boxes in which the handbags are stored. 

Police are still combing through two more units in the condominium building, said Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Amar Singh Ishar Singh.

Police are also at the former prime minister’s house in Taman Duta, where a search that had began on Wednesday is ongoing as efforts to crack an old safe have yet to succeed. 

Raids were simultaneously launched about 10pm on Wednesday on residences and offices connected to Najib, who is suspected of money laundering. 

Amar said the search and seizure was connected to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) probe.

“We are investigating the 1MDB case and the searches conducted at all six premises since yesterday are linked to this case,” he said.

The first place they searched, Amar said, was the Prime Minister’ Office. Documents related to 1MDB were seized. That same night police also searched the prime minister’s official residence, Seri Perdana, where Najib and his family lived.

Amar said the four other premises that were searched were residences connected to Najib, including his house in Jalan Langgak Duta.

He said the CCID had search warrants for all six locations.

Amar said that the investigating team had been professional in carrying out their duties and it was never their intention to cause distress to anyone.

“This is a very interesting case. We have to be very meticulous and we are being professional in our work, but if our investigation needs to take a certain time, then we have got to go with it.

“Like this search of the unit, it took two days to complete. We have not slept for two days.”

As for the safe in Najib’s house that police were trying to open, Amar said work was ongoing.

He declined to comment further. – May 18, 2018.