About 40 black plastic packages containing ketum leaves were discovered floating at sea near Pantai Leman yesterday, in what authorities believe was an attempted smuggling operation to a neighbouring country.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone found the packages during routine patrols around 2:22am, approximately 0.3 nautical miles off Pantai Leman. Maritime Commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak confirmed the packages weighed around 400kg in total and were worth an estimated RM60,000.
She explained that the packages were likely discarded into the sea when the perpetrators noticed the authorities. All were seized and taken to the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone jetty for further action.
The case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act. Noor Azreyanti added that although smuggling of ketum leaves continues, it is less rampant now since neighbouring countries have begun allowing cultivation. Nevertheless, Malaysian ketum remains in demand for its higher quality. No arrests were made.
