Police have detained a man and seized PVC pipes, firecrackers and fireworks which were believed to have been used to make improvised explosive devices in a raid near Nibong Tebal yesterday.

Seberang Perai Selatan District (SPS) police chief Supt Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad said the raid in Taman Tasek Mutiara, Simpang Ampat was conducted at 1pm following intelligence work and a public tip-off.

"Police are not ruling out the possibility he is being paid by moneylending syndicates to make the explosive devices and detonate them at debtors' homes to scare them," he told a media conference in Nibong Tebal today.

Wan Hassan said police also seized syabu worth RM600 from the man who isserving a restraining order under the Prevention of Crime (Amendment and Extension) Act 2013.

The man, who was also tested positive for drugs and had seven criminal records, was remanded for two days from today, he added.

- Bernama