BUTTERWORTH: The cache of firearms, including several pistols, that were seized by the marine police in waters off Perai in Penang are believed to be for organised crime syndicates.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad (pic) said they believe the firearms were to be sold to organised crime syndicates.
"Based on the interrogation we carried out, we do not rule out the possibility that this smuggling syndicate had a large network including involvement from neighboring countries.
"We have so far identified a crime network that is believed to be linked to an organised crime syndicate after we interrogated the four fishermen who were detained on Monday (Jan 27).
"We are carrying out this investigation and interrogations in a careful and organised manner to ensure that all elements are done well," he said during a press conference held after carrying out a check under Ops Selamat for Chinese New Year carried out at the Sungai Dua Toll in Butterworth on Friday (Jan 31).
He said all four suspects are still in remand custody.
Commenting on the progress of the investigation, Comm Hamzah said while he could not divulge much it was progressing and that they believed there were other countries involved.
"The network involves Malaysia and other countries," he said.
It was reported on Tuesday (Jan 28) that four men, including two foreigners, were arrested while a cache of firearms, including several pistols, were seized by the marine police in waters off Perai in Penang.
Marine police commander Senior Asst Comm Shamsol Kassim said the incident occurred at about 3pm on Monday.
"We detained two Indonesian men aged 21 and 43 years old as well as two locals aged 44 and 56 years old.
"Several firearms, including five pistols and an assault rifle along with bullets and other ammunition, were found," he said.
