JOHOR BARU: Police arrested three people, including a man believed to be involved in a shooting incident last month, for illegally possessing firearms here.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the suspects, two local women and the man, were arrested at about 1.40am on Monday (Aug 18) around Jalan Alor Bukit in Kulai.
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“They were stopped by a patrol unit after being seen acting suspiciously in a car.
“Upon inspection, we found several plastic packets containing suspected dangerous drugs such as syabu, heroin, marijuana and ecstasy pills in one of the suspects’ bags.
“Further checks on the vehicle led to the discovery of a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a 9mm silencer, one magazine and 175 live 9mm bullets hidden in the front bonnet compartment,” he said at a press conference at the Johor police headquarters here.
Comm Kumar added that ongoing investigations based on scientific evidence revealed the man was involved in a robbery at a private clinic in Masai on July 19.
“In the incident, the suspect entered the clinic alone and forced the victim, a 43-year-old woman, to place cash and jewellery into a bag on the clinic counter while pointing a pistol at her.
“The suspect managed to flee the scene on a motorcycle and fired one shot,” he said, adding that a sling bag left by the suspect on the clinic counter was also found to contain several packets believed to hold heroin.
Comm Kumar said all suspects, aged between 18 and 42, have between two and 23 priors on their criminal record, while one tested positive for drugs.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 4 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for displaying a firearm while committing a scheduled offence, Section 8 of the same Act for possessing a firearm and ammunition unlawfully, and Section 39A(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for possessing heroin.
On July 21, it was reported that a helmet-wearing motorcyclist fired a shot during a robbery attempt at a clinic in Taman Megah Ria.
In a 31-second viral video, the suspect was seen falling before getting up and fleeing the scene on a motorcycle while holding a pistol-like object.