PADANG BESAR: Police foiled an attempt to smuggle out 30kg ketum leaves to Thailand using a three-wheeled motorcycle at Kampung Kolam here yesterday.
It was learnt that a team from Border Intelligence Unit were carrying out surveillance in the area when it spotted a group of people gathered in a suspicious manner at a rubber plantation around 4.30am.
The group immediately scattered into the plantation when the team approached and introduced themselves.
However, the team managed to arrest one of the suspects, aged 31, and seized a three-wheeled motorcycle loaded with four sacks of ketum leaves.
State Narcotics Crime Investigation Department chief Deputy Superintendent Azizan Said estimated the streets value of the seized ketum leaves at between RM1,800 and RM2,400.
He said the suspect, a local, was being detained to facilitate investigation under Section 30 (3) of Poison Act 1952 which carries up to four years jail or a maximum fine of RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.
