JOHOR BARU: A ketum drink processing and packaging outfit in Taman Kempas Utama has been busted by the Customs Department with the arrest of three people.
Johor Customs director Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi said the group, comprising a local man and two Indonesian women, had been actively sourcing ketum leaves from Kedah to produce the liquid for sale in Johor Baru for more than a year.
“The leaves were processed and cooked in a rented factory in Taman Kempas Utama before they were filled in 1.5 litre bottles and sold at RM16 each.
“The bottles were apparently sold to regular customers by the suspects who are 28 to 35 years old,” he told a press conference yesterday.
The arrests were made during two raids conducted on Feb 27.
The department first raided a house in Kampung Kempas Denai, where the arrests were made.
“There were uncovered plastic parcels containing 103kg of ketum leaves and 189.50 litres of ketum drink, with a total estimated value of RM9,805.
“This led us to the factory in Taman Kempas Utama where we found 442.9kg of ketum leaves and 1,642.5 litres 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.
The department also seized 200 gas cylinders, 150 pots and 50 gas cookers from the factory.
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.
