JOHOR BAHRU:A local man suspected of drug trafficking was arrested during an attempted escape on Tuesday night.

However, before he got arrested, the 45-year-old man caused a 'drama' after he was chased by 17 police patrol cars (MPV) at Kilometer 58 of the North-South Expressway heading north here.

Johor Bahru Selatan District Police Chief (JBS), Assistant Commissioner Mohd Padzli Mohd Zain said, the man involved who was driving the Toyota Altis was arrested at the Simpang Renggam exit, Kluang, at 8pm on Tuesday.

"A search of the vehicle driven by the suspect also found a number of suspected syabu drugs and ecstasy pills. The total amount of drug seizures is estimated to be worth RM50,000.

"The incident happened when a policeman from the MPS IPS JBS Branch was on duty to prevent crime and COVID-19 Movement Control. During the patrol, the police saw a white car in a suspicious condition at Jalan Lembing, Taman Sri Tebrau, here at 7.15 pm.

"The policeman acted to order the suspect to stop the vehicle, but the suspect acted to speed up for the purpose of fleeing towards Jalan Kasa and exit to the EDL Highway by driving in a dangerous situation," he said in a statement here today.

According to Mohd Fadzli, in the incident, the policeman was assisted by policemen from the MPV Branch by involving 17 police patrol cars from five districts.

"It involved MPVs from JBS IPD, Johor Bahru Utara IPD, Iskandar Puteri IPD, Kulai IPD and Kluang IPD as well as from the Highway Patrol, had made a cut off at Kilometer 58 of the North-South Expressway north before arresting the suspect.

"The results of the inspection found that the vehicle used by the suspect was a vehicle that had been registered in the name of a rental car company. The suspect had several criminal records and drug cases," he said.

The suspect was remanded for seven days starting today until February 2.

The case is being investigated under section 186 of the Penal Code and section 39 (8) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.