The Terengganu Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) has detained three local men, including a 16-year-old teenager, for allegedly bringing ketum water to the RXZ Members 8.0 programme in Kuala Terengganu on Friday.
Terengganu police chief Datuk Mohd Khairi Khairudin said the suspects, aged between 16 and 32, were arrested by officers from the Kuala Terengganu District Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division at about 7.45pm.
He said the arrests were made after police inspected a Toyota Hiace van near the exit route of Sultan Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak.
Police discovered two bottles containing suspected boiled ketum leaf liquid with a total volume of about 600 millilitres during the inspection. The van and its key remote control were also seized for investigation.
Mohd Khairi said the three suspects, who were not from Terengganu, were believed to have brought the supply from outside the state for their use while attending the motorcycle gathering.
Initial urine screening found two of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine, while another tested negative for drugs.
The case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952, with all suspects remanded to assist investigations.
Following the arrests, police carried out checks at seven houses and resorts believed to be linked to the investigation. A total of 14 individuals, comprising 13 men and one woman, were brought to the Terengganu police headquarters for further checks.
However, no illegal items were found during the inspections and all 14 individuals tested negative for drugs. Police are continuing investigations to determine whether they have any connection to the case and to identify other individuals who may be involved.
Meanwhile, the Dungun District Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division has also opened an investigation into a viral video allegedly showing an individual openly selling ketum water at the Paka Rest and Service Area (R&R) exit route from Kemaman towards Kuala Terengganu.
Mohd Khairi said police are looking into whether the incident shown in the video is linked to the recent arrests in Kuala Terengganu.
He added that investigations are focused on identifying those involved, tracing the source of the supply and determining whether both incidents involve the same individuals or network.
However, he stressed that any connection between the two cases has yet to be confirmed.
Mohd Khairi said the Terengganu NCID would continue strengthening enforcement and prevention efforts throughout RXZ Members 8.0 to ensure the event remains free from drug-related activities.
He also warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in illegal activities and urged participants not to engage in actions that could tarnish the reputation of the programme.
Members of the public with information on drug or ketum-related activities can contact the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222 or the Terengganu NCID hotline at 011-6735 1234.
