IPOH: Police arrested five men and seized ketum leaves and liquid worth RM3,220 during two separate raids in Kerian and Hilir Perak.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said in the first case, three men aged between 27 and 42 were detained at a house in Kampung Nelayan, Tanjung Piandang, Kerian, at about 10.30pm on Monday (Aug 24).
“A plastic bottle containing about 0.6 litres of liquid believed to be ketum was seized.
“Further checks in the kitchen led to the discovery of 22 plastic packets containing about 11 litres of suspected ketum liquid,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 25).
He added that all three suspects have no prior criminal records and the seized items are valued at RM280.
In a second raid at 12.20am on Tuesday (Aug 25), police seized 22 black plastic packets containing about 196kg of suspected ketum leaves behind a house on Jalan Chenderong Balai, Hilir Perak.
"Two men were arrested to assist in investigations, with preliminary checks showing that both have no previous criminal records," Comm Mohd Alwi said, adding that the seized leaves are worth about RM2,940.
All five suspects are being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.
“The ketum leaves and liquid seized are believed to have been intended for local distribution.
"We are investigating the supply source and distribution network of the ketum products," Comm Mohd Alwi said.
He warned that stern action would be taken against those violating the law and urged the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
