Ex-diplomat, son detained over cannabis plantation in Janda Baik

A former diplomat with a “Datuk” title and his son have been detained on suspicion of growing 102 cannabis trees in the compound of a house in Kampung Sum Sum, Janda Baik in Bukit Tinggi, Bentong.

The cannabis plantation is said to be the biggest in the country so far.

Pahang police chief Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said the 78-year-old diplomat was arrested at his house in Janda Baik at about 6.10pm on May 21 while his 53-year-old son was arrested at a house in Shah Alam, Selangor, at 5.30pm yesterday.

During the raid at the house on an eight-acre plot of land in Janda Baik, police also found dried plants suspected to be cannabis, two glass bottles of suspected cannabis oil, coconut oil, and a modified bamboo stick believed to be used for cannabis consumption.

“The suspected cannabis liquid costs about RM250 per bottle based on the market value. It was believed to be processed in the house to be sold to their contacts.

“The value of the 102 cannabis trees seized is RM61,200 where each tree is valued at RM600. In fact, this can be said to be the largest seizure of cannabis plants in the country so far,” he said in a press conference at the Bentong district police headquarters today.

Ramli said during the investigations, the first suspect revealed that he had used several drops of a liquid believed to be cannabis oil mixed in drinks over the past three years.

“Preliminary investigations of the second suspect, who tested positive for drugs, found that he had been involved in drug activities since 2013, in addition to planting the banned substance since 2015,” he said.

Ramly said the police did not rule out the possibility that the remote location of the house had made their activities easier to conceal. Investigations are still underway to determine who the substance was sold to and how it was marketed.

The former diplomat has been remanded for seven days from May 22, while a remand application against his son will be made today to assist in the investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act (ADB) 1952 and Section 6B of the ADB 1952.