Pile of evidence: ACP Ku Mashariman (right), along with other senior police personnel, showing the seized ketum and codeine at Brickfields police headquarters. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Some 1.3 tonnes of ketum leaves and 50 litres of codeine solution have been seized following a raid on a shophouse in Taman Yew Lai here.
Police also detained 11 men, believed to be workers for a ketum trafficking syndicate.
Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood said police personnel from the motorcycle patrol unit raided the premises at about 8.50pm on Nov 15.
“We seized 1.3 tonnes of ketum leaves and 50 litres of codeine solution worth RM63,800.
“We believe the shophouse was used to store ketum leaves and codeine solution,” he told a press conference at the Brickfields police headquarters yesterday.
Several other items were seized, including a lorry and a set of keys, he added.
“One of the suspects detained was the syndicate’s transporter while the remaining suspects were syndicate members assigned to unload the items from the lorry.
“We believe the ketum leaves and codeine solution were supplied from a neighbouring country via a state in the north of the peninsula.
“The transporter would make deliveries to the Klang Valley once a week.
Those detained have been remanded until Nov 22, he added.
ACP Ku Mashariman said the police are still on the hunt for the syndicate’s mastermind and other members.
“We urge those with information on any drug-related activity to contact Brickfields police at 03-22979222 ext 553 or the nearest police station,” he said.
