A GANG processing and selling ketum that has been in operation for five years and led by a former civil servant has been busted following a raid in Johor Baru on December 22.

Johor police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the mastermind, aged 35, was arrested along with his wife, 36, who did the accounts, and two male workers in an operation conducted between 2.45am and 6pm.

Their arrests were the result of investigations into a lorry driver arrested on December 21 at the Simpang Renggam rest area, on suspicion of delivering 700kg of ketum. The driver also tested positive for methamphetamine.

“The syndicate rented a factory in Kempas for around RM1,000 a month and turned it into a ketum processing and packaging centre,” Ayob said at a press conference in Johor Baru today.

“They have been raking in profits of RM120,000 to RM200,000 a month from the sale of ketum leaves and water. They are believed to have obtained their supply from the north, smuggled in lorries transporting fruits.”

He said processing and selling ketum had become popular recently due to its high market price and demand, with current prices of ketum leaves being RM35-80 a kg while a 1.5 litre bottle of ketum water is priced between RM13 and RM25. 

He said the former civil servant, his wife and one of the workers also tested positive for methamphetamine.

He said 75.55kg of ketum leaves, 60 bottles of ketum water and processing equipment worth a total of RM1,655 were also seized during the raid.

He said the four have been remanded for five days starting December 22 under section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.

Ayob also said police have subsequently arrested eight male civil servants, aged 25 to 39, around Johor Baru and Kulai to determine if they were conspiring with the mastermind or involved in the use of ketum.

“We will conduct drug tests and investigate whether they were aiding the syndicate to conduct its activities without disruption from the authorities,” he added. – Bernama, December 27, 2021.