KOTA KINABALU: Three foreigners believed to be gunsmiths and drug dealers were shot dead at Kampung Sinar Jaya, Kinabatangan.
In the 2.30am incident, the trio, aged between 30 and 50, were shot dead during police raids at two different locations.
Sabah deputy police commissioner Datuk Zaini Jass said the operation dubbed as Op Laras was conducted by a team of 80 from the Tiger Platoon of the Criminal Investigation Department and Special Branch.
He said the first location was a house with a family of seven who did not have valid identification documents.
“During the check at the house, a man astride a motorcycle appeared briefly but fled into nearby bushes before he began shooting at police.
“Police were forced to return fire in self defence.
“After the shootings ceased, the man was found dead,” he told a press conference at the state police headquarters here.
Zaini said police found a handmade gun with a cartridge with six live bullets and 13 packets believed to contain syabu near the body.
At the house, police also found two air rifles, a machete, four bullets, 1.35g of drugs, a weighing scale and 13 handphones.
The other raid took place at three houses located about 2.4km from the first premises.
Realising the presence of police two suspects began firing on them. Police returned fire and killed them instantly.
“Police found two types of firearms, a Smith and Wesson 38’ revolver and a homemade gun.
“They also seized RM2,376 in cash, 700 Filipino pesos, as well as nine packets of drugs believed to be syabu weighing about 800g,” he added.
He said two homemade air rifles, several components of firearms and two bullets were also found at the three premises.
A couple with two children related to the suspects were detained.
The case is being investigated under Section 307 of Penal Code, Section 8 of Firearms Act 1971 and Section 6(1) Immigration Act 1959/63.