KENINGAU: Police arrested two men and seized ammunition and other items in two operations in Nabawan on Wednesday.
Keningau Police Chief Supt Yampil Anak Garai said the arrests were made following information received by the D9 Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department from the Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters.
He said a 22-year-old was detained at 3.15pm in front of a convenience store.
A search of the suspect led to the discovery of two boxes containing 40 rounds of 5.56mm Ball M193 ammunition kept in his sling bag.
Police also seized a long machete from him.
Following the arrest, police conducted a search at an unnumbered house in a village identified by the suspect and uncovered a green box containing seven boxes of 5.56mm Ball M193 ammunition comprising 140 rounds, as well as two shotgun cartridges.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, police arrested a 45-year-old believed to be the owner of the ammunition.
The suspect is a corporal with the Territorial Army stationed at the Nabawan Temporary Camp.
Both suspects and the seized items were brought to the Keningau district police headquarters for further action.
Initial investigations showed the first suspect, a farmer who lives with his father, admitted keeping the ammunition to look for buyers in order to obtain money to purchase drugs.
He also claimed that the ammunition belonged to his father.
The second suspect, who is the father of the first suspect, admitted keeping the ammunition and told investigators it was leftovers from a shooting exercise conducted at the Nabawan Territorial Army Camp in 2022.
Both suspects have no previous criminal record.
They have been remanded for four days to facilitate investigations under Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960.
During the operation, a total of 180 rounds of 5.56mm Ball M193 ammunition, two shotgun cartridges and a long machete were seized.
