A clever attempt to conceal hundreds of packets of ketum juice inside a forested area came to an abrupt end after two men were arrested by the General Operations Force (PGA) during a raid near Jalan Pintasan Pasir Mas on Wednesday.
The operation, carried out at approximately 6.05pm, saw the two suspects, aged 26 and 36, attempting to flee into nearby woodland after spotting enforcement officers. However, both men were successfully apprehended.
Southeast Brigade PGA Commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said an initial inspection of a Perodua Kelisa and a motorcycle used by the suspects uncovered nine packets of ketum juice.
Further questioning and information provided by the suspects led authorities to a hidden storage site deep within the forest, not far from the location of the raid.
Officers discovered a cooler box and three polystyrene containers containing a total of 312 packets of ketum juice believed to be intended for sale.
Authorities also seized the Perodua Kelisa and a Honda motorcycle suspected of being used in the illegal operation. The total value of the seized items, including the vehicles, was estimated at RM23,220.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the pair had allegedly been involved in processing and selling ketum juice since March last year.
Police believe customers would visit the forest location in the afternoons to purchase supplies, with each packet reportedly sold for RM10. The ketum leaves used in the operation are believed to have been sourced from a local supplier.
The suspects have since been handed over to the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division of the Pasir Mas District Police Headquarters for further action.
The case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.
