ALOR SETAR: Firearms are being easily smuggled into the country as they are first dismantled into smaller parts in Thailand and then brought into the country by different people.

On this side of the border, the guns are put together again and sold to ready buyers.

A senior enforcement officer said it was difficult to detect as the smugglers could be just about anybody from motorists and bus drivers to pedestrians.

He said these weapons could be hidden in secret compartments of vehicles and bags, as well as tucked under shirts, pants or pockets.

“As such, we need some form of intelligence to stop these smugglers from slipping in the parts each day via the border entry points.

“When all the parts are successfully smuggled into the country, they would be fixed back together,” said the officer, who is in his 50s and has over 20 years’ experience manning the border at Bukit Kayu Hitam.

The officer revealed that an automatic chromed pistol such as Pietro Beretta would cost about RM7,000 while a revolver would be between RM2,000 and RM3,000.

“You can get the firearms from underground sellers in nearby Danok or Haatyai and Bangkok through familiar contacts.

“Unless the smugglers give themselves away by panicking during routine checks, it is difficult to detect,” he said.

On July 6, a Thai national pleaded guilty to smuggling an automatic pistol and a magazine without licence into the country.

On July 3 last year, two men were arrested for possession of a revolver and a fake gun after a high speed chase along the North-South Expressway near Changlun.