A 54-year-old Indonesian permanent resident has been arrested after police seized 300 packets of ketum drink worth about RM3,000 during a raid in Kampung Tekek, Pulau Tioman, early Monday morning.
Rompin District Police Chief Supt Sharif Shai Sharif Mondoi said the suspect was detained at about 12.30am following an operation conducted by police intelligence teams.
He said checks revealed that the suspect had a prior record involving similar offences last year, raising concerns of repeated involvement in ketum-related activities.
Authorities said the arrest and seizure were made following sustained intelligence gathering and information provided by members of the public assisting police efforts.
The joint operation was carried out by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Rompin District Police Headquarters together with the MARTEK Unit of the Royal Malaysian Police Marine Police Force Region 3 based in Tanjung Gemok.
Police are investigating the case under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952, which carries a maximum fine of RM100,000, imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction.
Supt Sharif Shai stressed that police will not compromise with any party involved in drug-related offences, including ketum distribution, which is classified as a controlled substance under Malaysian law.
Members of the public with information on drug-related activities have been urged to contact the Rompin IPD operations room at 09-4145222 to assist ongoing enforcement efforts.
