News
Haul of military-grade weapons found at gem merchant’s residence
This week’s discovery of 13 firearms and a haul of ammunition at Beruwala are among a series of discoveries in recent weeks that show a proliferation of illegally acquired sophisticated automatic weapons.
Police officers with seized weapons
Among the weapons in the latest detection were a mini Uzi Sub Machine Gun (SMG), with two magazines and the 9 mm ammunition used for it. A smaller, improved version to the famous Israeli made Uzi SMG. The mini Uzi is widely used in Sri Lanka for the protection of VIPs.
This year, two SMGs of the German-made Heckler&Koch MP-5 sub family, which are compact, easy-to-conceal weapons were taken into custody.
One of the MP5s were used in a robbery in Matara which resulted in the death of one policemen. The other weapon was found among a collection of illegal weapons held by an ex-provincial council member a few months back.
The widespread availability of such military-grade automatic firearms needs to be taken seriously by relevant authorities.
Six 12-Guage shotguns, a .22 calibre rifle, air rifles, crossbows and several machetes were also found at the location. Eight-hundred rounds of .22 long rifle ammunition and a hundred 12-Guage shells were also taken into custody.
A police source told the Sunday Times that the weapons were unlicensed. According to the police 40 mg of heroin was also found at the residence.
The arms were found when the residences of Abdul Niaz (a gem merchant) were searched after he was arrested for being in possession of deer meat and shotgun ammunition by the ‘Law Empowerment Unit’ of the Kalutara Police division in Matugama.
Police believe that he was returning from a hunt.
The presence of ammunition in the vehicle Niaz was travelling in prompted the Matugama police to work with the Beruwala police to search his premises. According to police sources Niaz is known in his locality as a firearms enthusiast and a hunter. His driver, a 42 year -old individual who was also arrested was later released after questioning. Niaz was produced before the Matugama Magistrate last Friday.