Police break up Perak-based ketum processing operation

IPOH: Police have smashed a ketum processing premise following the arrest of five men and the seizure of the juice and leaves at a house in Taman Pakatan Jaya, here on Monday.
Ipoh City Police chief ACP Mohd Ali Thamby said a police team raided the house and found three men packing drinks believed to be ketum in the living room at 11pm.
"Further checks revealed another two of their accomplices processing the ketum leaves in the kitchen," he added.
Police seized 440 packets of the juice worth about RM2,200 and another four baskets of unprocessed green leaves weighing 30kg believed to be ketum. A weighing machine, two gas tanks, two stoves, two large pots and several processing equipment were also seized.
"The leaves were brought in from outside Perak and processed here for distribution in the city and state," he said.
The five men, aged from 26 to 35, were detained under Section 30 (3) of the Poison Act 1952 to facilitate investigations.
Mohd Ali said the suspects were subsequently released on bail pending the completion of investigations.
"Investigation revealed the men are workers and we are tracking the people behind the operation," he added.