Melaka Tengah police chief Christopher Patit said the 33-year-old man and 35-year-old woman were arrested at around midnight by a team of police officers based on intelligence and information from the public.

They were caught in a raid at a condominium in Klebang, Melaka, on Dec 4, Bernama reported.

Christopher said these donation boxes belonged to madrasahs and orphanages placed at eateries around Melaka and Johor.

“The couple used to go to these eateries and pretend to be representatives from the madrasahs, pondoks or orphanages to collect these donation boxes,” he said in a statement last night.

Chrisopher said the couple had been active in Melaka for about two months.

Police seized 54 donation boxes, a metal cutter and a car during the raid.

They also found a transparent plastic packet containing compressed green leaves suspected to be marijuana weighing about eight grammes.

Christopher said both suspects had previous convictions for drug-related offences.

The couple has been remanded for seven days and a further extension will be requested to facilitate investigations.