KOTA BHARU: The 7th Battalion of the General Operations Force (PGA7) seized 700 kilograms (kg) of ketum leaves worth RM21,000 in a raid at an abandoned car workshop in Kampung Bunohan in Tumpat, near here, yesterday.

PGA7 commanding officer Supt Azhari Nusi said realising the presence of its personnel at the workshop at 3.30pm, two men fled into the nearby bushes.

"Checks at the site which had been turned into a storehouse, found piles of black bags which contained transparent plastic packages filled with leaves, believed to be ketum.

"After searching the surrounding area, the team left the scene and the seized ketum leaves were taken to the Narcotic Division of Tumpat district police headquarter for further action," he said in a statement today.

Azhari said the ketum leaves were believed to have been brought in from Kedah for the market here, adding that the leaves are sold at RM30 per one kg pack.

The case will be investigated under Section 30 (3) of the Poisons Act 1952.

-- BERNAMA