MELAKA: Melaka police seized six air rifles and a pistol in a raid at a housing estate in Tanjung Minyak here.
Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said a 42-year-old man was also arrested in the raid at about 12.30am yesterday by a team of personnel from Units D7 and D9, Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ) of the Melaka Police Contingent headquarters.
“The raid found six air rifle barrels and components, a Sig Sauer pistol, 100 blank 9mm cartridges, three sets of walkie talkies, a set of portable communication radios, six gun barrel holsters, a drilling machine, measuring tools, and a calculator.
“Initial investigations found that the suspect had the skills to modify air rifles which were purchased for between RM1,000 and RM1,500 before being sold for between RM3,000 and RM3,500, while the air rifle, belonging to another individual, was being repaired by the suspect,” he said at a press conference at the Melaka Tengah district police headquarters here yesterday.
Dzulkhairi said the suspect was from Melaka and had customers from all over the country, with most of the modified air rifles used for hunting animals or as personal collectibles.
“The suspect is said to have learned the ins and outs of modifying the air rifle through YouTube, and was previously arrested for the same offence in 2022. He also has a record that showed involvements in burglary and criminal intimidation, among others.
“The suspect also often moves from one place to another in the state to avoid detection by the authorities,” he said, adding that ballistic tests on the seized pistol were also conducted by the Melaka IPK Weapons Unit.
According to Bernama, the suspect, who tested positive for methamphetamine, was remanded for seven days starting yesterday to assist in investigations under Section 8 of the Firearms (Heavier Penalties) Act 1971, Section 8(A) of the Arms Act 1960, Section 36(1) of the Arms Act 1960, and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
