ALOR STAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle 2.2 tonnes of ketum worth nearly RM400,000 in Kuala Kedah early today.
Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone Zone director Maritime Commander Azreyanti Ishak said the seizure was made near Kuala Sala at about 6am.
"Acting on intelligence information over suspicious activity at Kuala Sala, an MMEA boat on patrol duty in the waters of Kuala Muda was despatched to the location.
"Upon arriving, the patrol boat found a pile of 220 black garbage bags of ketum weighing 2.2 tonnes left unattended at the scene near the river mouth.
"We believe the pile of ketum worth about RM396,000 were en route to be smuggled to a neighbouring country through the sea route," she said in a statement.
Azreyanti said the case was being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poison Act 1952 which carries not more than RM10,000 fine or jail up to four years or both upon conviction.
"We view this ketum smuggling activity seriously as throughout this month alone, we have made three earlier seizures worth about RM380,000," she said.