KUALA TERENGGANU, March 9 (Bernama) -- He gave new meaning to the concept of selling used-clothes. University students and teenagers who patronised his shop were guaranteed a 'high' from their purchase.

The mild-mannered businessman operated what appeared to be a shop selling used clothes in Kampung Gong Datok for the past 18 months, luring an endless stream of young customers.

Unknown to many however, he had been leading a 'Jekyll and Hyde' lifestyle which the police only uncovered yesterday, following a surveillance.

When they raided the 28-year-old's shop located near an institution of higher learning, the police stumbled on 795 psychotropic pills worth about RM28,000.

The pills were found hidden in a handbag under a table at the premises at the time of the raid about 4.30pm in Jalan Mengabang Teliopot, state narcotics crime investigation department chief Supt Roslan Abd Wahid told a news conference today.

He said initial investigations revealed that the suspect had deployed university students and teenagers as 'runners' to peddle the drugs, adding that they would be arrested soon.

"The man operated a psychotropic pill distribution network which fronted as a shop for used clothes, beginning at 5am daily," he said, adding that the suspect had earlier sold drugs elsewhere for more than a year.

"Most of his customers comprised teenagers and university students who lived nearby, with pills being sold for between RM35 to RM70 each," added Roslan.

Following the arrest, he said, the police seized RM10,000 from the house, believed to be proceeds from the sale of drugs.

"We believe that with the arrest, we have severed the drug supply to teenagers in the Gong Datok, Batu Rakit, Maras, Mengabang Telipot and Padang Kemunting areas," noted Roslan.

He said the suspect, from Kampung Seberang Tepoh, was remanded for a week and investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction.