KUALA LUMPUR: An Israeli man detained for possessing six handguns and 200 rounds of ammunition has had his remand extended for seven days starting today.
Israeli Shalom Avitan's previous remand period ends today.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the extension was requested to allow the police to complete a detailed investigation.
"We still need some time to gather all solid evidence related to this main suspect (Avitan) and the Malaysian husband and wife, who were also remanded last Friday.
"At this time, our focus is on examining Avitan's motives for possessing six firearms and 200 rounds of ammunition.
"In addition, investigations are ongoing into all 15 individuals detained, including Avitan and the Malaysian couple," he said today.
Razarudin said a suspect detained in Cameron Highlands on March 29, who acted as Avitan's driver, had been released on police bail following the completion of the investigation into him.
He said the total number of individuals currently detained was 15, including two Turkish men and one Georgian man.
On March 27, Avitan, an Israeli national, was detained at a hotel in Jalan Ampang here after being found in possession of six handguns, including a Glock 19 Marine, Glock 17 Gen 4, Smith and Wesson, Sig Sauer and Stoeger, along with 200 rounds of ammunition.
Initial investigations by the team consisting of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Special Branch found that Avitan, who entered the country on March 12 via a flight from the United Arab Emirates using a French passport, planned to kill the head of a rival criminal family.
Following inquiries into Avitan, police then arrested a husband and wife, aged 42 and 40, at a Ramadan bazaar in Kuala Selangor on March 29. They were suspected of selling six firearms to Avitan. Their arrest led to the discovery of another pistol in a sling bag in the couple's car.
The special police team handling the case, comprising the Bukit Aman CID and Dang Wangi district police headquarters, then detained 12 more individuals in several raids in Johor, Kelantan and the Klang Valley.
All of them were being investigated for involvement in the distribution of seized firearms, cryptocurrency transactions for weapons purchases and related offences.