Arrested for Kratom Part 1

Ex-teacher with 1,020g of ketum leaves arrested

March 29, 2010, Monday

Tagged with: crime drugs

KUCHING: A former teacher from Alor Setar, Kedah was arrested by the police at Kampung Jawa, Jalan Semenggok near here in the late hours of Saturday night for possession of ketum (krathom) leaves — an alternative to other drugs, especially ganja.

Married to a local, the 48-year-old was said to have flown back from his hometown last Wednesday and brought back the ketum leaves for processing before being sold.

The police went to his house at Kampung Jawa and arrested him at about 10.50pm following tip off and surveillance.

The ketum plant is mainly found in the northern part of peninsular especially Kedah.

Usually processed into drinks, these are used by substance abusers in the peninsula as an alternative to get ‘high’ when other narcotics are not so easily available.

The head of Sarawak Police Narcotics Department Superintendent Moses Agat said last Saturday’s case was the first of its kind to be traced in the state although cases involving the addictive ketum leaves were common in the peninsula.

He told reporters here yesterday that the former teacher had 1,020g of ketum leaves in his possession.

Also seized from the man were 268g of ketum stems, which indicated that the man could have intentions to start ketum farming here.

“He (the former teacher) is now under remand, and the case is investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.

“If convicted, he could be jailed not more than four years, and fined not more than RM10,000,” he said.

Ketum has been in the news especially in the peninsula for the past several years mainly because some people have been using its leaves as a drug that can give them a ‘high’ akin to some banned narcotics.

It has been reported that many stalls sell drinks made from ketum leaves and since it is cheap, many youths are using it as an alternative to other drugs, especially ganja.

According to police sources, a kg of ketum leaves could cost between RM35 and RM40.

When processed into drinks, it is usually sold between RM2 and RM3 per packet, and a kg of ketum can be processed into 100 packets of drinks.

Ketum leaves and drinks are presently still classified under the Poisons Act, although there are plans by the government to classify them under the Dangerous Drugs Act due to the rising number of cases and effects on substance abusers.

Original Article:  http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=20218