IPOH: A 35-year-old man was arrested for possessing 1,200kg of leaves suspected to be ketum, with an estimated value of RM48,000.
Gerik OCPD Superintendent Abdul Samad Othman said that the man was nabbed early Friday (Nov 13) morning in a crime prevention patrol operation in Bandariang, Gerik.
"About 1.40am, a team from the Special Crime Prevention Patrol Unit stopped a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) parked by the roadside in front of the Road Transport Department weighbridge office in Bandariang.
"An inspection of the vehicle uncovered 120 black plastic packages containing transparent plastic bags filled with green leaves suspected to be ketum, weighing about 1,200kg in total," he said in a statement.
He said that the local man, who was driving the vehicle, was arrested for further investigation.
He added that the suspect had three previous drug-related records, with one case each under Sections 39A(1), 12(2) and 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Supt Abdul Samad said that the case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.
"Further investigations are ongoing to identify the source of supply and the distribution network involved," he said.
Supt Abdul Samad added that police will continue to intensify enforcement efforts to curb the abuse and distribution of prohibited substances in the Hulu Perak district.
He urged the public with information on criminal activities to channel it to the police.
