By Zaihan Mohamed Yusof

IN WAR movies like Black Hawk Down, elite soldiers stalk their enemies in the dead of night.

They spot their targets and eliminate them in the dark using Night Vision Goggles (NVG).

With the mini devices pulled over their helmets, night turns into day - the enemy has nowhere to hide.

It is a military device, usually a classified item, not meant for public use.

But one woman in Singapore claims to have gotten hold of an NVG.

And she wants to sell it.

The woman placed an online advertisement looking for prospective buyers last week.

But she is unsure if what she is doing is against the law.

Said the woman, who gave her name only as Madam Mag: "I bought the night vision (goggles) for my brother-in-law because he is a military hobbyist.

"Since the NVG was delivered to our home address, surely it's okay to own one, right" Nobody questioned us (her husband and her) when the package arrived."

Got past customs checks

She is not sure how the device got past customs checks.

Six months ago, Madam Mag ordered the Seben Commando Infrared NVG on the Internet.

She bought it directly from the manufacturer in Germany. She has decided to sell the goggles now because her brother- in-law has "become tired of playing with the NVG".

Madam Mag's asking price was $799, which she claims is "a bargain".

She declined to reveal how much she paid for it, but a check by The New Paper on Sunday on the manufacturing company's website showed that the device cost 459 Euros ($950).

She told this reporter during a viewing of the NVG on Friday night: "I don't think we need a special licence to purchase the NVG, but I can't be sure. We have never used the goggles for any evil intentions."

But industry experts, particularly those dealing with military-grade night optics, said otherwise.

Said Mr Clinton Tan from KNT Engineering and Trading: "Sensitive equipment like NVGs are regarded as controlled items or strategic goods. Military-spec NVGs are often treated as firearms.

"You will need special permission from the manufacturer and the Singapore authorities before the NVG is allowed here."

Mr Tan added that civilians are not allowed to possess the latest types of NVG because it may pose a security threat.

Responding to queries from The New Paper, a police spokesman said: "Police do not regulate the sale of night vision goggles unless they are of military grade.

"Nonetheless, as a form of control, all night vision goggles will have to be sent to Police Licensing Division for an inspection at the time of importation."

It is not clear how Ms Mag's device got past customs.

A person intending to buy military grade night vision goggles would also need to seek approval from the Police Licensing Division, he added.

Members of the public who wish to enquire on the purchase of night vision goggles for personal use may consult the Licensing Department at 6835-0000 or e - m a i l t h e m a t SPF_Ops_Licensing@spf.gov.sg.

Another former NVG dealer, who declined to be named, said strict procedures have been put in place for security reasons.

He said: "The authorities need to know who the end users are, particularly if orders are made from overseas. You don't want the NVG to fall into the wrong hands. It can be used for surveillance by terrorists against targets in Singapore."

But he feels that not all NVGs should fall under the same strict regulations.

Older NVGs should be allowed for civilian use. The Generation 1 type of NVGs lack the resolution and clarity of the latest Generation 4 type NVGs used by military units around the world, he said.

He said: "In Europe, there is less control over such products because the authorities allow civilians to use them for recreation (like photography or cave exploration)."

This article was first published in The New Paper.