Five Men Detained, 196 Kilograms of Ketum Seized in Perak Raids

Perak police arrested five men and confiscated a significant amount of ketum, a plant with psychoactive properties, in two separate operations. The raids in Kerian and Hilir Perak yielded 196 kilograms of ketum leaves and 11.61 liters of ketum water, with an estimated value of RM2,940.

In the first raid, conducted late Tuesday night in Kampung Nelayan, Tanjung Piandang, three men aged 27 to 42 were apprehended. Authorities found approximately 0.6 liters of ketum water in a plastic bottle and an additional 11.01 liters in 22 plastic packets. Initial checks revealed that these suspects had no previous criminal history.

A separate operation by the Hilir Perak Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division early Wednesday morning led to the discovery of 196 kilograms of suspected ketum leaves, packaged in 22 black plastic bundles, behind a house in Jalan Chenderong Balai. Two local men were detained in connection with this seizure. Like the first group, these individuals also had no prior records.

Perak Police Chief Datuk Mohd. Alwi Zainal Abidin stated that the seized ketum was likely intended for distribution. Investigations are ongoing to identify the source of the supply and the wider distribution network. Police have vowed to take stern action against those involved in illegal activities and encouraged the public to provide information on any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. The suspects are being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.