ALOR GAJAH, May 30 — The police have detained a man in connection with the seizure of 20kg of ketum leaves and a litre of ketum water at a road- block in the Alor Gajah-Melaka-Jasin Highway early yesterday.

The ketum leaves in three black plastic packages and a bottle of the ketum water were found hidden in a vehicle driven by the 36-year-old suspect at 12.15am.

Alor Gajah police chief, Supt A. Asmadi Abdul Aziz said initial investigations revealed the power cable company employee was allegedly involved in trafficking in ketum leaves and water in the state since 2011.

“We believe the suspect had just arrived in Melaka when he was detained. He had obtained the supply of ketum leaves worth about RM600 from Perak, to sell here,” A. Asmadi told a press conference here today.

He said the man, from Teluk Intan, Perak, was believed to have been processing ketum leaves at his home in Bukit Rambai here.

He sold ketum water at RM10 a bottle while the leaves fetched RM30 a kilogramme.

A. Asmadi said the suspect made a profit of RM2,000 per month by selling ketum leaves and water.

The man, who has four previous criminal records related to the sale of ketum leaves and water was remanded for three days, beginning yesterday. — Bernama