A 23-year-old woman who illegally possessed a bullet used in machine guns and attempted to build a 3D-printed firearm was sentenced to four months’ jail and fined S$1,000 on Friday (May 8), according to CNA.
Jermaine Lim had purchased a 5.56mm round for S$20 from fellow military enthusiast Javier Tan, whom she met through church, and kept the ammunition at her home without a licence. The same type of ammunition is stocked by the Singapore Armed Forces.
Lim pleaded guilty to one count of possessing an explosive without a licence. Another charge of attempting to manufacture a 3D-printed firearm without a licence was taken into consideration during sentencing.
Investigations revealed that Tan had earlier obtained the unfired bullet from a schoolmate while studying at Republic Polytechnic in 2021 or 2022. Tan, who described himself as a military enthusiast, initially kept the ammunition as part of his personal collection at home.
Lim and Tan became acquainted through church in 2022 and bonded over their interest in military-related items. Tan later sold the ammunition to Lim for S$20.
Court documents stated that neither Lim nor Tan possessed the required licence to own the ammunition, which is classified as an explosive under Singapore’s Arms and Explosives Act.
Tan had previously pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of abetting Lim to possess the ammunition without a licence. He was sentenced to three months’ jail and fined S$1,000.
Further investigations found that Lim had downloaded blueprints and purchased filaments for 3D printing in an attempt to build a firearm.
She also assembled a firing mechanism for the 3D-printed weapon, including a working trigger and spring capable of producing a sound when activated. However, the firearm remained incomplete and non-functional.
A forensic report later confirmed that the assembled parts did not constitute a working firearm because essential components, including a firing pin, were missing. Investigators also found that the structure would not have been able to withstand the pressure generated during firing.
The court heard that Lim had posted an image of the assembled firearm on her Instagram story, which led to further discussions with Tan regarding the ammunition.
Lim was arrested on Dec 17, 2024, during a Central Narcotics Bureau drug raid. Authorities searched her residence and recovered the ammunition, along with a 3D printer and related materials. Lim later informed police that she had obtained the bullet from Tan, who was arrested later that same day.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Natalie Chu told the court that although only a single bullet was involved, it carried a high potential for serious harm.
“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.
The prosecution sought between four and five months’ jail for Lim, along with a S$1,000 fine.
The court also heard that Lim had previously been placed on probation in 2022 for a similar offence.
Under Singapore law, possessing an explosive without a licence carries a penalty of up to three years’ jail, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
Image via CNA & Google
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