A man, believed to be a bomb specialist, was detained with a female friend during a police raid at their rented house in Taman Minamah in Nibong Tebal, Penang yesterday.

The 32-year-old man, with six previous records, is believed to specialise in making bombs that could be detonated using remote control, Penang police chief Chuah Ghee Lye told a media conference in George Town today.

He said during the 11am raid, police also seized various types of drugs and a piece of PVC rod.

"The PVC rod, measuring 2.66 metres long, contained four pipe bombs, attached with a wick, believed to be made by the male suspect," he added.

Chuah said police also seized transmitters, remote control, welding equipment, electro-mechanical components, a switchboard, eight rounds of shotgun ammunition, a kerambit (curved knife) and drug paraphernalia.

The drugs seized include heroin (12.65g), ketamin (18.35g), syabu (3.26g), ecstasy pills (24) and caffeine (one kg).

He said the man and his female friend, who is a married woman, aged 42, are under remand for seven days to facilitate investigations.

- Bernama