KUALA LUMPUR: A tip-off led police to a man growing marijuana plants in an apartment in Cheras.

Officers from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department raided the place and found eight marijuana plants in two pots on the balcony, City police chief Comm Datuk Amar Singh said Friday.

He said a 33-year-old Iranian was arrested in the raid on Wednesday, adding that the suspect brought the seeds from his homeland three months ago.

"The plants were grown here and we believe they were for personal use," he said.

He added that this was the first such find for the narcotics department.

"Normally you would find ganja (dried marijuana leaves). It's very rare to find a live plant," said Comm Amar.