The Police have arrested a 42-year-old man for his suspected involvement in importing 20 replica guns and 54 magazines. A 61-year-old woman is also assisting in investigations.
Arising from anomalies detected in scanned images of an import container at Tuas Port, officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) proceeded to unstuff the said container on 13 March 2023. They then uncovered a shipment of replica guns intended for delivery in Singapore. The shipment, for which there was no licence, contained 20 replica guns and 54 magazines. The case was classified as a breach of Regulation 3(6) read with Regulation 45 of the Regulation of Imports and Exports Regulations (RIER), punishable under Section 3(3) of the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 1995, and was referred to the Singapore Police Force for investigations.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from Woodlands Police Division established that the shipment was intended to be delivered to a 42-year-old man, and arrested him on 13 March 2023. Another two replica guns were seized during the arrest. A 61-year-old woman was also allegedly found to be involved in the operation. She was also believed to have assisted to import similar items on previous occasions. Another two replica guns were seized from the woman.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Replica toy guns are controlled items under the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 1995. Under Section 3(3) of the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 1995, any persons who is in contravention of subsidiary legislations such as the RIER shall, on the first conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or three times the value of the goods in respect of which the offence was committed, whichever is greater, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both.
Items such as replica toy guns may be deemed as offensive weapons depending on the circumstances in which they are found. If the person carrying the item is unable to provide a reasonable explanation for the item, the person may also be liable for an offence under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958.
Photograph of seized shipment of replica guns and magazines ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
15 March 2023 @ 10:50 PM