JOHOR BAHRU: Firearms found dumped in Sungai Skudai on Jan 1 by the Central Brigade of the General Operations Force (GOF) are believed to belong to a security company manager.
Johor police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the firearms were believed to be the remaining cache of weapons kept by the 47-year-old, who was detained in Kota Tinggi for possession of firearms and ammunition on Aug 30.
The owner of the security company was arrested along with eight of his friends, including three foreigners, aged between 27 and 59, near the Felda Linggiu Dam forest area. Police seized a Glock 17 pistol, 15 9mm bullets, an Adler shotgun and 32 bullets.
He said the suspect, who is the son of a Datuk, had been charged in the Kota Tinggi sessions court last October and his case was still being heard.
According to him, investigations also found that one of the suspects detained by the Central Brigade GOF, following the discovery of the firearms in Sungai Skudai, was the manager of a camping equipment company and the younger brother of the main suspect.
Ayob said seven firearms were found in the river on Jan 1. Only one was a semi auto pistol while the other six were various Airsoft rifle barrels that resembled real weapons. Airsoft guns are replica toy guns used for Airsoft sports.
He also said that 6,000 live ammunition of various types, five 0.22 rounds of air rifle ammunition and airsoft firearm components were seized.
“It is believed that 20 firearms were thrown into the river and seven have been recovered. Only one was a genuine weapon while the rest were all airsoft models.
“The diving operation is still being carried out by the marine police force. We found another airsoft weapon but due to the strong currents, the operation is taking more time, ” he told reporters at a press conference here today.
According to him, so far, 20 suspects, consisting of seven local men and 13 Indonesians, aged 21 to 50, have been detained and investigated under Section 201 and Section 34 of the Penal Code.
Khan said three of them, including the manager of the camping equipment company, had been charged in the magistrates’ court here yesterday and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
According to him, the manager was also investigated under Section 36 and Section 8 (a) of the Weapons Act 1960 following the discovery of US-made air rifles, 582 live ammunition of various types and five “thunderflash rods” in his house.
He denied that Johor was being used to smuggle in firearms as most of the items found were Airsoft weapons.
“Airsoft is used for sports … but there is a possibility that it is used for crime.”
He said an investigation was also carried out on a police officer for posting a police report on the case on Facebook. - FMT
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