GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) detained a Myanmar national for possessing 300g of ketum leaves on Friday (Jan 27) night.
State MMEA director Kapt Abd Razak Mohamed said the 47-year-old suspect was arrested during a routine Ops Pertiwi patrol by the agency's enforcement team at a fish farm in Sungai Udang at 2.4 nautical miles west of Batu Kawan at about 8.50pm.
"During the inspection, the suspect had valid documents and found him in possession of ketum leaves weighing about 300g," he said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 28).
Kapt Abd Razak said the suspect was suspected of having committed an offence under Poison Act 1952 for keeping and possessing ketum leaves.
He said the suspect was detained with the contraband item and brought to the marine police jetty in Batu Maung before being handed over to an officer for further investigation.
"MMEA will not compromise and will take stern action against the owner or individual who violates the federal law at the country's maritime zones," he said.
He said for complaints of maritime offences at sea or emergencies, the public can contact the agency's hotline at 04-262 6146 or MERS 999.
