KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Two men were arrested after allegedly attempting to conceal hundreds of packets of ketum drink in a forested area near Jalan Pintasan Pasir Mas in Kelantan, according to Sinar Harian.
The daily reported that the suspects, aged 26 and 36, were detained during a raid by the General Operations Force (GOF) at about 6.05pm yesterday after they tried to flee into the nearby forest upon spotting enforcement personnel.
GOF Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said an initial inspection of a Perodua Kelisa and a motorcycle used by the suspects uncovered nine packets of ketum drink.
He said further questioning and information provided by the suspects led authorities to a storage site hidden in a forest near the raid location.
“Personnel discovered an ice box and three polystyrene containers containing a total of 312 packets of ketum drink.
“We also seized a Perodua Kelisa and a Honda motorcycle believed to have been used in the activity,” he was quoted as saying today.
According to Ahmad Radzi, the total value of the seizure, including the vehicles, was estimated at RM23,220.
Initial investigations found that both suspects had allegedly been involved in processing and selling ketum drink since March last year.
“We believe customers would come directly to the location in the evenings to purchase ketum drink at RM10 per packet.
“The ketum leaves are believed to have been sourced from a local supplier,” he reportedly said.
The suspects have since been handed over to the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division at the Pasir Mas district police headquarters for further action.
The case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.
