Make a wind gun to hunt squirrels, man arrested

MUKAH, Oct 14: Reasons to hunt for squirrels led to the arrest of a 52-year-old foreign man when he was detained by police on suspicion of possession of an unlicensed homemade shotgun yesterday.

The suspect who worked as a farmer was arrested by a team of members of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Municipal Police Headquarters (IPD) Mukah via Op Laras at about 11 am on Haji Mohd Fauzi Road, here.

The Chief of Police of Mukah District, Deputy Superintendent Muhamad Rizal Alias said the detention was made as a result of information and searches related to gun ownership.

"The suspect then took the police to a private cottage on Balingian-Or, Balingian Road, at about 2.30pm, before pointing out where the weapon was stored.

"An on-site inspection led to the discovery and seizure of a homemade shotgun, a bottle of spirit and two bullets for use as caseware", he said in a statement today.

Mohammad Rizal said the initial investigation found that the suspect claimed to have made himself and owned the weapons for squirrel hunting.

"The man is also understood to be in the process of applying for permanent resident status (PR).

"The case is being investigated under Section 8 (a) of the Weapons Act 1960 for possession of weapons without a valid license, while the suspect was detained for two days until 16 October to assist in the investigation", he said.

In this regard, the police assured that they will not compromise with any party who possesses or uses firearms illegally and will take strict action in accordance with the provisions of law. -TVS