JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A Singaporean housewife has been detained by the Johor Customs Department over the alleged smuggling of used luxury cars from Singapore.

A total of 26 cars worth RM2.9 million (S$980,000) - inclusive of RM1.8 million in duties - were seized.

Among the vehicle models recovered were a Toyata Alphard, Mercedes Benz Brabus, Toyota Lexus, Honda Integra, Mazda 5, Toyota Estima and Nissan Silvia, reported The New Straits Times (NST).

State Customs director Datuk Ramli Johari said the suspect, in her 20s, was nabbed at her house in Taman Laguna on Jan 20 at around 3pm.

He said enforcement officers from the Department had initially seized three luxury cars parked inside the compound of the woman's house.

"We have been monitoring the case for quite sometime and believed that the suspect is one of the masterminds of the syndicate selling used luxury cars from Singapore," said Datuk Ramli, who broke the news at a press conference after attending the International Customs Day state-level celebration in Johor on Thursday (Jan 28).

According to NST, the authorities are also looking for the suspect's Malaysian husband, who works in Singapore.

Datuk Ramli said 23 Singapore-registered vehicles were also seized after the suspect revealed that they were parked in the housing estate.

"The permits of the Singapore-registered cars have already expired and they should be sent to be scrapped in Singapore," he said.