SEPANG, Nov 12 — The Customs Department has outgunned an attempt to smuggle 10 imitation guns from the United States after seizing them at the KL International Airport (KLIA) free trade zone here.

The imitations, comprising six pistols and four rifles were found in five boxes at the KLIA cargo area, and worth a total of US$2,700. They comprised Colt (two), Baretta, Beeman, Airgun and Glock and four rifles.

Another box contained accessories, including ball bearings for the imitation guns.

Customs officers found the guns and the accessories about 11.30am yesterday.

KLIA Customs director Datuk Chik Omar Chik Lim said the boxes arrived in Malaysia, two days ago, via the courier company, FedEx.

He said checks revealed the address and the recipient’s name on the boxes were non-existent in the Klang Valley.

“Before the Customs officers found the imitation weapons, FedEx received an e-mail from an individual who claimed receiving the items, but said they did not belong to him as it was mistakenly delivered.

“We believe the individual had sent the e-mail after discovering the box of weapons had been uncovered by the authorities.

“This is not the first time the individual used the courier service to send banned items,” he told a media conference at his office here today. — Bernama