Malaysia seizes smuggled gold bars

Malaysia seizes smuggled gold bars

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian police have seized gold bars worth 2.4 million ringgit (US$960,000) bound for Thailand, the Bernama news agency reported yesterday.

Police in the northern state of Kedah seized 120 kilograms of gold bars hidden in concealed compartments of a car on an expressway that crossed the state.

Kedah police acting deputy commissioner Abas Johar said the north-bound car was stopped and searched Monday night after police received a tip-off.

The gold had come from a third country and was to be sold in Thailand, he said.

The car's 22-year-old driver was detained for questioning when he could not explain the presence of the gold bars.