KUCHING: Police have arrested two suspects in separate cases involving handmade weapons in Kuching and Bintulu within 48 hours.
A car park security guard, 60, was nabbed at a rented shophouse in Jalan Mendu here for producing handmade air rifles.
State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Datuk Dev Kumar said here today that serious crimes unit personnel had raided the shophouse about 4pm yesterday.
“Initial investigations revealed that the suspect had been producing air rifles and selling them to hunters.
“He has been running the (illegal) business for years. “He would only sell his handmade rifles to regular and loyal customers.
“The team seized five handmade rifles, marbles and equipment believed to be used to produce the weapons.”
“The seized rifles have the ability to kill.”
Dev said action would be taken against those who bought or owned handmade air rifles, regardless of their intentions.
In Bintulu, a 48-year-old man was arrested in Simpang Belaga about 3.40pm on Saturday, for illegal possession of a handmade rifle.
Belaga CID chief Assistant Superintendent Mohd Sani Junid said the suspect from Una Kulit, Sungai Asap, was going out to hunt when he was nabbed.
“Police seized his rifle and three bullets as he didn’t have a permit. We are investigating where he got them,” he said.
The suspect has been remanded for four days to facilitate investigations.
State police are making serious efforts to tackle the production and possession of handmade weapons, especially among villagers living in longhouses and remote areas, who do not have permits and could pose a threat to the community.
Both suspects are being investigated under Section 8(a) of the Firearms Act 1960.