Kedah cops seize cache of firearms

A semi-automatic pistol, a fake air pistol and bullets found in raids at two houses

ALOR SETAR: Kedah police seized a semiautomatic pistol, a fake air pistol and 51 rounds of bullets in separate raids at two houses in Kulim.

Deputy state police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Jalil Hassan said the firearms and bullets were seized on Dec 27 and 28 based on information obtained from a man who was arrested on Dec 25.

The 34-year-old was picked up at about 1am in a house at Taman Seri Pinang, Kulim, together with his girlfriend and a female housemate.

All three have been remanded until tomorrow.

It was reported that the man had been involved in a brawl with a few men at a cafe in Kulim on Dec 24, and had used a revolver to hit the head of a victim during the fight.

Police also picked up a 32-year-old man, who was believed to be involved in the fight at the cafe, on Dec 27.

At 7.30pm the same day, the man led police to a double-storey bungalow in Lorong Sekolah Convent in Kulim, where an Austrianmade Glock 3C semi-automatic pistol and 49 bullets were recovered.

DCP Abdul Jalil said that at 5pm the next day, the same suspect led police to a single storey house at Taman Selasih, Kulim, where a silver-coloured fake air pistol, a holster, two .38 calibre bullets, a pair of handcuffs and a black ski mask were seized.

“The fake pistol was found buried in the compound of the house and police had to dig it out,” he told a press conference at the state police contingent’s media centre here yesterday.

He also said the remand of the jobless 32-year-old suspect expires tomorrow.

“The suspect has five previous cases of drug abuse and firearms possession.

“The other suspects do not have any previous records,” he added.

DCP Abdul Jalil said police would investigate whether both the male suspects are in possession of other firearms, if they are involved in gangsterism, robbery cases and impersonation as law enforcement officers.

He said the cases would be investigated under Section 8 of the Firearms Act 1971 (Increased Penalties) for being in possession of firearms, Section 8 (a) of the Firearms Act 1960 for having firearms and ammunitions without licence, and Section 36 of the Arms Act 1960 for being in possession of a fake pistol.

“A ballistic test would be carried out on all the seized firearms to determine if any shots had been fired,” he added.

Good haul: DCP Abdul Jalil (second left) with (from left) Kulim district CID Chief ASP Amir Atong, Kedah D9 Division Chief DSP Mohd Naim Asnawi and Kulim district Investigation Officer Insp Muhamad Fadlee Muhamad Saleh showing the weapons, bullets and handcuffs seized.