SIBU: Police have destroyed 86 illegal shotguns seized from several individuals over the years.
Sibu Deputy OCPD Supt Martin Koo said the guns were destroyed yesterday under Section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
“The guns were confiscated during Ops Siaw Loong which was launched statewide in 2000. The guns were initially sold to individuals by middlemen who had colluded with the firearms officer in the district office to issue licences,” he said.
He added that 82 investigation papers were opened on the matter.
Based on the explanations by the individuals arrested, another four investigation papers were also opened under Section 7 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971.
As a result of the investigation on Sept 26, 2006, Mahmud Abdullah, the deputy public prosecutor from the state Attorney General’s Chambers in Kuching, ordered that the middlemen and the district firearms officer to be placed under restricted residence for three years under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
The owners of the illegal shotguns, were however not subjected to further action.
“This is the biggest exercise to destroy the shotguns in the district,” he added.
Present to witness the ceremony were magistrate Sharifah Fatimah and Sibu CID chief DSP Hadian Keria.
