Lured by Ketum Water, Two Partners Arrested by PGA

Authorities in Kelantan, Malaysia, have apprehended two individuals suspected of being involved in the processing and sale of ketum water for over two years. The arrests were made by the Pasukan Gerakan Am (PGA) during a raid on an undocumented house in Kampung Padang Chenok.

The operation, conducted late Tuesday night, resulted in the seizure of ketum water, ketum leaves, and various equipment used for processing the beverage. The total value of the confiscated items is estimated at RM6,880.

According to Commander of the Southeast Brigade, Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain, the two suspects, aged 32 and 34, were actively engaged in processing and packaging ketum water at the time of the raid. During questioning, they confessed to their involvement since February 2024, operating as business partners in the sale of ketum water.

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The results of the interrogation found that the two suspects, aged 32 and 34, admitted to being involved in the activity since February 2024 and acted as business partners in the sale of ketum water.

The pair admitted to boiling a pot of ketum water daily between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., producing approximately 120 one-liter packets. Each packet was sold for RM10. Investigations revealed that the suspects sourced their ketum leaves from a supplier, obtaining about 50 kilograms weekly.

The case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.

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They also admitted to boiling one pot of ketum water every day from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., which could produce about 120 packets of ketum water, with an estimated one liter per packet.