Johor Customs Uncover Ketum Syndicate Using Rented Factory As Processing Lab

JOHOR BAHRU, April 2 (Bernama) -- The Johor Customs Department uncovered a syndicate selling ketum water that uses a rented factory in Taman Kempas Utama here as its processing laboratory, following seizures worth RM76,796 on Feb 27.

Its director, Aminul Izmeer Mohd Sohaimi, said the raid was conducted by the Johor Narcotics Branch at 9.30 pm based on intelligence information from the Customs Operational Battle Force Response Assault (COBRA) team and Southern Zone Intelligence Branch.

He added that they also detained three individuals - a man believed to be the manager and two Indonesian women workers - aged between 28 and 35.

"It is believed that the syndicate has been operating for about three years. It is believed to have received its supply of ketum leaves from Kedah,” he told a media conference at the Johor Customs Department Enforcement Division Store here today.

According to him, the ketum water is believed to have been sold to its regular local customers at RM16 per 1.5-litre bottle.

Overall, 442.9 kilogrammes (kg) of ketum leaves, 1,642.5 litres of ketum water, 200 gas cylinders, 150 cooking pots and 50 stoves - all totalling an estimated RM66,991 - were seized in the operation.

Aminul Izmeer said the department also raided a house, about two kilometres away from the factory, in Kampung Kempas Denai that was believed to have been used as the site to sell the ketum water at 9pm the same day.

Upon inspection, the department found piles of plastic packages containing ketum leaves weighing 103kg and two containers filled with 189.50 litres of ketum water, valued at RM9,805, hidden in a room.

He said the seized items had been sent to the Department of Chemistry for further analysis, and that investigations are also underway to determine if the syndicate also sold the banned substances overseas.

He added that the case is being investigated under Section 30 (3) of the Poisons Act 1952.

-- BERNAMA