GEORGE TOWN: A man was detained after he was found with three five-month-old ganja plants at a terrace house in Pulau Tikus here last Wednesday.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong said the trees were planted inside plastic pots, found inside the toilet of the rented house.
The trees appeared to be fertile.
Upon further investigations, the 26-year-old man admitted that he tried planting the trees after he came across a packet of dried ganja which he bought before this.
"The suspect admitted to finding the ganja seed in the drugs which he bought and had tried to plant them.
"He said he planted four trees but one died.
"He had planted the trees inside the plastic pots and placed them inside the toilet for better exposure and ventilation," he told newsmen here today.
Soffian said all three plants are valued at RM2,660.
"The three trees have a height of 48cm, 46cm and 39cm respectively. We also seized an assortment of drugs, including 28.5gm of heroin, 30.38gm of syabu and 13.63gm of ganja at the dining table of the suspect's house.
"We also seized a motorcycle. The total seizure amounted to RM10,290," he said, adding that the suspect's urine test came back positive for methamphetamine.
He has no previous record.
Soffian said police viewed the case seriously, noting how the suspect managed to plant the trees successfully.
"If we do not nip this in the bud, we fear the suspect may plant even more trees.
"The ganja trees, if processed, can cater to 320 addicts," he added.
It is learnt the trees were for the bachelor's own use.
The case is probed under Section 6B, Section 39B, Section 39A(2) and Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.