Malaysian police confiscated a few hundred designer handbags, cash, jewelry and other valuables as part of an investigation into former Prime Minister Najib Razak.
CNN  — 

Malaysian police have seized dozens of bags stuffed with jewels, cash and luxury goods from properties linked to former Prime Minister Najib Razak, according to state media.

State news agency Bernama reported Friday that 72 bags of jewelry, cash in a variety of currencies, almost 300 boxes of designer handbags, and other luxury goods were seized in a raid Wednesday night in the downtown Kuala Lumpur development Jalan Raja Chula.

The value of the seized goods, which included Hermes and Louis Vuitton bags, is yet to be ascertained due to the scale of the confiscation, Bernama reported.

Najib, whose government was plagued with scandal, was soundly defeated in last week’s parliamentary election by a coalition led by veteran politician Mahathir Mohamad, who came out of retirement to challenge Najib.

Police gather at the residence of the former Prime Minister on Wednesday.

Najib was deeply unpopular and facing allegations of corruption and misappropriation of money from a state fund, the Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). His coalition party, Barisan Nasional, led the country since its independence 61 years ago. Mahathir had pledged to hold Najib accountable.

At a press conference on Thursday, Mahathir had said the police had enough reason to raid Najib’s house.

Police prepare to load confiscated items into a truck on Friday.

“We have instructed investigation into all crime cases, no matter who is involved. If there is a case against them, we will take action,” he said.

Six properties were searched in total in relation to reopened probe into the 1MDB scandal, the state investment vehicle from which Najib is accused of siphoning off billions of dollars. Najib has denied any wrongdoing.

Former Malaysian prime minister and opposition candidate Mahathir Mohamad celebrates with other leaders of his coalition during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on early May 10, 2018. - Malaysia's opposition alliance headed by veteran ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad, 92, has won a historic election victory, official results showed on May 10, ending the six-decade rule of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP)        (Photo credit should read MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images)
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Documents relating to the 1MDB scandal were retrieved in raids conducted on six properties, including four homes, the former prime minister’s official residence and his office in Putrajaya, according to Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Amar Singh Ishar Singh.

On Thursday Najib’s lawyer, Harpal Singh Grewal, told reporters that he understood that the items had been seized in order to advance an investigation under the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Acts, Bernama also reported.

Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, are on an Immigration Department watch list, and banned from leaving the country.