SEPANG: Police say they have crippled a ketum processing and distribution syndicate with the seizure of 240kg of ketum leaves and the arrest of nine suspects including the mastermind.
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The suspects, including a foreign couple, were detained in the course of three raids on terrace houses at Putra Perdana in the district on Feb 15.
Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof said police monitored the syndicate for three weeks before raiding the houses simultaneously at around 11pm.
“We seized 240kg of ketum leaves and 152 bottles of liquid ketum worth about RM12,600, and RM12,325 in cash.
“Our investigations revealed the suspects were active for over two months and used the houses as processing centres,” he told reporters at the Sepang police headquarters on Wednesday (Feb 17).
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ACP Wan Kamarul Azran said the suspects would receive orders via phone and sell their product from the three houses.
“The mastermind, a man in his 30s, was among the nine arrested.
“We believe the syndicate had been getting its supply from the north,” he said.
Those with information on similar activities should contact the Sepang police hotline at 03-8777 4222 or the Selangor police hotline at 03-2052 9999 or go to the nearest police station.- The Star