JOHOR BARU: Three individuals have been arrested by the Customs Department, leading to the bust of a ketum processing and packaging syndicate operating in Taman Kempas Utama here for over a year.
Johor Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said those detained comprised a local man believed to be managing the operations and two Indonesian women workers, aged between 28 and 35.
“The syndicate were believed to have sourced ketum leaves from Kedah and sold the processed drink to regular customers at RM16 per 1.5 litre bottle.
“The operations were conducted at a rented facility and have been active for more than a year,” he told a press conference on Thursday (April 2).
Aminul Izmeer said the arrests followed raids conducted at about 9pm on Feb 27.
He said the first raid at a house in Kampung Kempas Denai uncovered plastic packets containing 103kg of suspected ketum leaves and 189.50 litre of suspected ketum drink, with a total estimated value of RM9,805.
A second raid carried out about 30 minutes later at the factory in Taman Kempas Utama found 442.9kg of ketum leaves and 1,642.5 litre of ketum liquid, estimated to be worth RM66,991.
“The premises, which appeared abandoned and locked, was used to process the ketum drink, while the house functioned as a distribution point,” he added.
In addition, authorities seized equipment believed to be used in the operation, including 200 gas cylinders, 150 pots and 50 gas cookers.
He said efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and the owner of the premises.
The case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952 for the processing and sale of ketum drink, which carries a penalty of a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.
