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SINGAPORE: A woman who illegally possessed a bullet used in machine guns, and attempted to build a 3D-printed firearm was given four months’ jail and a S$1,000 (US$789) fine on Friday (May 8).<\/p>\n
Jermaine Lim, 23, had bought the 5.56mm round for S$20 from a fellow military enthusiast she met through church and kept it in her home without a licence.<\/p>\n
The same type of ammunition is stocked by the Singapore Armed Forces.<\/p>\n
Lim pleaded guilty to one count of possessing an explosive without a licence. A separate charge of attempting to manufacture a 3D-printed gun without a licence was considered for her sentencing.<\/p>\n
Investigations revealed that Lim acquired the ammunition from co-accused Javier Tan, who had earlier obtained it from a schoolmate while studying at Republic Polytechnic in 2021 or 2022.<\/p>\n
Tan, a military enthusiast, had initially kept the unfired round as part of his personal collection in his home.<\/p>\n
The court heard that Lim and Tan became acquainted through church in 2022 and shared an interest in military-related items. Tan then sold the bullet to Lim for S$20.<\/p>\n
Both Lim and Tan did not have the licence to possess the ammunition, which is classified as an explosive under the Arms and Explosives Act.<\/p>\n
Tan pleaded guilty in January 2025 and was convicted of one count of abetting Lim to possess the ammunition without licence. He was jailed three months and fined S$1,000 for the offence.<\/p>\n
Further investigations uncovered that Lim had also downloaded blueprints and bought filaments for 3D printing.<\/p>\n
She assembled a firing mechanism for the 3D-printed gun, including a working trigger and spring that could produce a sound when activated, although the model remained incomplete and non-functional.<\/p>\n
A forensic report later confirmed that the assembled parts did not constitute a working firearm, as key components such as a firing pin were missing and the structure would not have withstood the pressure of firing.<\/p>\n
Lim posted an image of the assembled gun on her Instagram story, which led to Tan informing her about the ammunition.<\/p>\n
Lim was arrested on Dec 17, 2024 by Central Narcotics Bureau officers conducting a drug raid. The authorities searched her unit and recovered the ammunition along with a 3D printer and related items.<\/p>\n
She told the police that she obtained the ammunition from Tan, who was arrested later that day.<\/p>\n
The prosecution sought four to five months’ jail for Lim and a S$1,000 fine.<\/p>\n
Deputy Public Prosecutor Natalie Chu said that while a single bullet was involved, it carried a high potential for serious harm.<\/p>\n
“In particular, the 5.56mm bullet may be used in several assault rifles and machine guns, which can cause substantial injury and death,” said Ms Chu.<\/p>\n
Ms Chu also noted that Lim had previously been placed on probation in 2022 for a similar offence.<\/p>\n
For possessing an explosive without a licence, Lim could have been jailed up to three years, and fined up to S$5,000.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n