A 23-year-old woman who illegally possessed a military-grade bullet and attempted to construct a 3D-printed firearm has been sentenced to four months’ jail and fined S$1,000 (about RM3,500).
Jermaine Lim pleaded guilty to one charge of possessing an explosive without a licence after she was found with a 5.56mm bullet commonly used in assault rifles and machine guns.
The court heard that she bought the bullet for S$20 (around RM70) from a fellow military enthusiast she met through church, before keeping it at her home without authorisation.
The same type of ammunition is used by the Singapore Armed Forces, making it a tightly regulated item under the law.
Lim also faced a separate charge of attempting to manufacture a 3D-printed firearm without a licence, which was taken into consideration during sentencing.
Investigations showed she had downloaded firearm blueprints and purchased materials for 3D printing. She later assembled a partial firing mechanism, including a trigger and spring system that could produce a sound when activated, although the device was incomplete and non-functional.
A forensic examination confirmed the item was not a working firearm, as key components such as a firing pin were missing and the structure would not withstand live firing.
Lim was arrested on December 17, 2024, during a Central Narcotics Bureau operation, which also led to the recovery of the bullet, a 3D printer and related items from her residence.
Authorities also revealed that she shared an interest in military collectibles with co-accused Javier Tan, who had originally obtained the bullet while studying at Republic Polytechnic in 2021 or 2022.
Tan later sold the bullet to Lim for S$20 (about RM70) and was separately sentenced to three months’ jail and fined S$1,000 (around RM3,500) for abetting the offence.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Natalie Chu told the court that although only one bullet was involved, it carried significant potential for harm, noting that the 5.56mm round can be used in weapons capable of causing serious injury or death.
The prosecution had sought between four and five months’ jail for Lim, along with the fine.
Court documents also showed that Lim had previously been placed on probation in 2022 for a similar offence.
Under Singapore law, possession of an explosive without a licence can carry a penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to S$5,000 (approximately RM17,500).
