ALOR SETAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone foiled an attempt to smuggle out about a tonne of ketum leaves in the waters of Kuala Kerpan, Jerlun, last Friday (July 9).
Kedah and Perlis Maritime director Mohd Zawawi Abdullah said the ketum leaf seizure was made based on intelligence regarding the smuggling of ketum leaves in the area.
"A Malaysian Maritime patrol boat dispatched to the location at 1.30am to conduct a raid had detected a fibre boat without a registration number moving in a suspicious manner towards Kuala Kerpan.
"On realising the presence of the authorities, the suspect changed direction by speeding towards the nearby beach to escape, leaving the boat and cargo behind," he said in a statement here today.
He said 100 black plastic packages containing ketum leaves, weighing about one tonne and estimated to be worth RM180,000 were found in the boat.
According to him, the ketum leaves are believed to be smuggled by sea for a neighbouring country due to high demand there with a market price of around RM180 per kg compared to RM40 per kg in this country.
"All the seized items along with the fibre boat and engine estimated to be worth RM235,000 were taken to the Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone jetty to facilitate investigations under Section 30 (3) of the Poisons Act 1952," he said.
Mohd Zawawi said this ketum leaf seizure is the seventh made by his team this year and total seizure value achieved so far is RM734,600.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sun Jul 11 2021
Kedah and Perlis Maritime director Mohd Zawawi Abdullah said the ketum leaf seizure was made based on intelligence regarding the smuggling of ketum leaves in the area. -- Maritim Malaysia photo
Taylor Swift unveiled as presenter at Sunday's Grammys
Taylor Swift is nominated for the Grammy Awards for Album of the Year with her album 'The Tortured Poets Department', and five other awards.
Microsoft, Meta back big AI spending despite DeepSeek's low costs
CEOs of Microsoft and Meta defends massive spending saying it was crucial to staying competitive in the new field.
Israel releases Palestinian prisoners after delay over chaotic hostage handover
Hamas frees three Israeli and five Thai hostages in Gaza, and Israel releases 110 Palestinian prisoners in the latest prisoner-hostage swap.
New minimum wage order comes into force tomorrow, benefiting 4.37 million workers - KESUMA
Failure to comply with the Minimum Wage Order is an offence and may result in a fine.
Honda, Nissan to unveil detailed merger plan in mid-Feb.
Japan's second- and third-largest carmakers by volume, have agreed to begin talks on merging under a holding company.
Investigators cautious of jet fuel still aboard wrecked South Korean plane
The investigation is being slowed by a large amount of fuel and oxygen still on board, according to an air crash investigation official.
Malaysia's official reserve assets at US$116.22 bil as at end-December 2024 - BNM
According to Bank Negara Malaysia, projected foreign currency inflows amount to US$2.49 billion in the next 12 months.
Investigators seek to salvage aircraft after deadly Washington crash
Divers aim to "salvage the aircraft" and find additional components on Friday, Washington's fire department said.
PM calls on people to prioritise national interest
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says Malaysia should also serve as a model for strong racial unity.
Trump repeats tariffs threat to dissuade BRICS nations from replacing US dollar
Trump warns BRICS member countries from replacing the US dollar as a reserve currency by repeating a 100%-tariffs threat.
UN chief demands evacuation of 2,500 Gaza children at 'imminent risk' of death
The doctors said they are advocating for a centralised process for medical evacuations with clear guidelines.
US looking into whether DeepSeek used restricted AI chips, source says
Current restrictions on Nvidia artificial intelligence processors are meant to stop its most sophisticated chips from reaching China.
Number of evacuees continues to rise in flood-hit Sabah, Sarawak
In Sarawak, the number of evacuees rose to 9,398 from 2,725 families this morning.
Investigators find black boxes after deadly Washington plane crash, continue search for answers
Investigators recovered the so-called black boxes from the American Airlines Bombardier jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members.
Malaysia among nine nations to meet in The Hague over alleged Israeli law violations
Nations expected to plan "coordinated legal, economic, and diplomatic actions" to hold Israel accountable for violating international law.
Near-misses at Washington airport worried pilots well before fatal crash
In the moments before the crash, an air traffic controller can be heard on recordings asking the Army helicopter to pass behind the jet.
No clear reason yet for Washington air disaster that killed 67, officials say
NTSB has begun collecting wreckage, including portions of the helicopter, and is storing it at a hangar at Reagan National.
Where do the legal cases against Trump's executive orders stand?
Here is a look at the cases and where they stand.
Moments before deadly stampede at India's Maha Kumbh, devotees pleaded to open more routes
Police say the path leading to main bathing area is only 50 metres wide and barricaded on either side to avoid people spilling over.
Risk of violence escalates in Myanmar's civil war as junta flags elections
Myanmar's embattled ruling generals are making their most concerted effort to gain legitimacy - by pushing to hold another election.