KUALA LUMPUR: Police arrested a former Malaysian diplomat with the title "Datuk" for alleged cultivation and possession of nearly 100 ganja (cannabis) trees at a plantation.
The case was reported to be the biggest haul of ganja trees since most seizure involved those planted in pots.
A source said the success of this case was possible due to efforts by the police from the Bukit Tinggi police station and the Bentong district police headquarters under Ops Tapis.
A team from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division had raided the suspect's residence in Janda Baik, Pahang at about 6pm over the weekend.
"It was learnt that the senior citizen was taken into custody before authorities found several garden rows believed to be used to plant ganja.
"Several rows of ganja trees were also discovered around the residence. Police then found dried ganja leaves and containers with liquid inside, believed to be ganja oil.
"The suspect is believed to have ventured into ganja growing on a serious scale following the discovery of plastic nursery containers at the scene," the source said.
The source added that police were still investigating how the suspect had managed to secure ganja seedlings and why the forbidden plant was cultivated at such a big scale.
The Datuk has been remanded until May 28.
Checks in the area on Monday revealed nearly 10 police personnel guarding the said residence and several members of the police forensic unit were also on-site, looking through the evidence.
However, Harian Metro's reporter and cameraman had been asked to leave the secluded area.
It was learnt the suspect had served at Malaysian embassies in the Southeast Asia as well as in the Middle East.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B for trafficking in dangerous drugs; Section 6B for restriction on planting and cultivation of certain plants, as well as Section 6 for restriction on possession of raw opium, coca leaves, poppy-straw and cannabis of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.