The police detained a suspected drug trafficker in connection with the seizure of 36 grammes of heroin worth about RM1,000 in Perai here last Saturday.

The 27-year-old suspect was picked up from his house in Jalan Perai Jaya 6 to facilitate investigations into the distribution of drugs in the Seberang Perai Utara district since the beginning of the year.

Seberang Perai Tengah police chief, ACP Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said initial investigations revealed the suspect, who tested positive for drugs had five previous drug-related offences.

"We believe the man obtained drug supplies from a syndicate before packing it in smaller quantities for distribution," he said here today.

He said the man was remanded for six days to assist in investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.

In another development on the same day, Nik Ros Azhan said the police detained a man believed to be involved in motorcycle thefts during a raid at a house in Cherok Tokus Atas, Bukit Mertajam.

From the 22-year-old suspect, the police seized a black Yamaha RXZ motorcycle which was reported missing in Machang Bubok recently, he said.

Initial investigations revealed the suspect had been involved in motorcycle thefts over the past few months, mainly targeting the Yamaha RXZ model due to high demand among the 'mat rempit' for illegal races.

"He had allegedly stripped the machines of their components and sold them as spare parts, or sold a motorcycle at low price," said Nik Ros Azhan, adding the man was remanded for four days.

-- BERNAMA