RANAU: Police have arrested two men and confiscated 369kg of ketum powder during raids at two locations in the district on Aug 10 and 11.
The raids also yielded 20 bottles of dark green liquid suspected to be ketum water, bringing the total value of the seized items, including the ketum powder, to RM37,220.
The operations were carried out by a team from the Sabah Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) and the Ranau Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division (BSJN).
District police chief Deputy Superintendent Mursalin Mahmud said that the first raid on Aug 10 targeted an unnumbered house in Kampung Bongkud, Jalan Narawang, following public complaints.
During this raid, a 41-year-old man was arrested outside the house, suspected of involvement in the sale of ketum water and powder.
"Further examination revealed a polystyrene box containing 16 bottles of dark green liquid suspected to be ketum water. Nearby, three white sacks and one black plastic package were found, containing 369 packets of ketum powder," he said.
He also said that the ketum water was sold at RM16 per bottle, while the ketum powder was priced at RM100 per packet.
The second raid took place on Aug 11 at another unnumbered house in Kampung Kaparingan, where a local man was arrested.
A polystyrene container with several bottles of dark green liquid suspected to be ketum water was seized.
"Both suspects are being held for their alleged involvement in the sale of ketum water and powder. The case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952," Mursalin added.