Man held over homemade air rifle for squirrel hunting

MUKAH: A homemade air rifle allegedly built for hunting squirrels landed a 52-year-old farmer in police custody during an operation dubbed ‘Ops Laras’ yesterday (Oct 13).

The foreign national was arrested along Jalan Haji Mohd Fauzi at around 11am after police received intelligence about suspected illegal weapon possession.

Mukah police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias said the suspect later led officers to a private hut along Jalan Balingian-Tatau in Balingian, where he showed them where the weapon was kept.

The suspect showing police where the homemade weapon was kept.

Police seized a homemade pellet air rifle, a bottle of spirit and two pellets as evidence.

“Preliminary investigations found that the suspect admitted to making and possessing the weapon.

“He also claimed that it was intended for hunting squirrels,” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960 for possession of a firearm without a valid licence.

Rizal said the suspect, who is applying for a permanent resident status, has been remanded for two days until Oct 16 to assist in investigations.

He said police would take firm action against anyone found illegally possessing or using firearms.