Penang Cops Foil Arms Smuggling Attempt Seize Guns And Ammo

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Penang police chief Hamzah Ahmad showing an M4 rifle and other firearms seized during the check on the two boats off Perai yesterday. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Penang police apprehended four men, including two Indonesians, and seized five pistols, an M4 rifle and 801 bullets from a boat in the waters off Perai, Penang, yesterday.
Bernama reported Penang police chief Hamzah Ahmad as saying the region one marine police force from Batu Uban intercepted two fibreglass boats, which had no registration numbers, at 3.10pm.
The two boats were travelling from Penang Port towards the Penang Bridge when the marine police instructed them to stop for a check one nautical mile southwest of Sungai Perai.
During the check, they detained two local men and two Indonesian men, aged between 22 and 57.
“Further checks uncovered five pistols, including two Sig Sauer pistols with three magazines, two Glock pistols with two magazines, and one Smith & Wesson pistol with a single magazine.
“Additionally, an M4 rifle, 600 rounds of M4 ammunition, 200 rounds of 9mm ammunition and one S&B bullet were found in the boat occupied by the two Indonesians,” he said at a press conference at the region one marine police headquarters in Batu Uban today.
Hamzah said police also seized various items, including a satellite phone, mobile phones, bags, GPS equipment, RM4,030 in cash and two passports belonging to the two foreign nationals.
He said initial investigations found that the two foreign men entered Malaysia through legal channels, before travelling to Thailand by sea to collect the firearms. The transactions are believed to have taken place in international waters.
He said the firearms were subsequently smuggled into Malaysia for sale to potential buyers, likely intended for criminal activities or acts of terrorism.
“The four individuals working as fishermen are believed to be part of an international arms smuggling syndicate. This is believed to be their first attempt to carry out arms trade in the country.
“They are suspected of renting the two unregistered boats locally.
“We are continuing investigations, including tracking the smuggling network and identifying those involved in the arms trade,” he said, adding that the boat with the two local men contained no illegal items.
Hamzah said all four men had been remanded for seven days, until Feb 3, to assist investigations under Section 7 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for firearms trafficking. - FMT

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