The raiding party led by Perak Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department chief ACP R Ravichandran said the live 60mm bomb mortar round was located near a vase in the front area of the house, The Malay Mail reported.

“This is the first time we have found a live round during a drug bust. This means we always need to be prepared during these operations.

“It could have been meant as a deterrent to enforcement officers or for self-defence,” Ravichandran told the daily as to why the suspect, an unemployed man, may have kept the live bomb in his house.

Ravichandran added that the bomb disposal squad was called to dispose of the bomb and detonate it under controlled conditions.

The drug haul by the police included 1.2kg of heroin, 13g of amphetamine, Erimin and Ecstasy drugs, all of which have a market value of about RM32,000. The report quoted the police as saying that the seized drugs could cater to the needs of 1,500 addicts.

The police also arrested two other people linked to the 47-year-old suspect in the Bagan Serai area. The other two were a woman, aged 25, and a man, 49.

According to Ravichandran, the syndicate had been operating for two months in the Kuala Kurau and Kerian areas in northern Perak.

The three suspects have been remanded for seven days until next Tuesday and the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, The Malay Mail reported.

All three suspects now face the death penalty if convicted of drug trafficking.