TAWAU: Police arrested eight men suspected of ketum water abuse following a raid at a house in Kg Hidayat Batu 4, Jalan Apas, here, Friday.
During the raid, police seized 16,839.29 millilitres of ketum water, 627.84 millilitres of a suspected drug liquid known as “mushroom,” and 9.12 grammes of cannabis, with a total estimated value of RM4,020.
Tawau District Police Chief ACP Jasmin Hussin said the main suspect, a 39-year-old local, allegedly admitted to owning the ketum water and mushroom liquid seized.
“The other seven suspects, aged 19 to 40 and of various nationalities, admitted to obtaining ketum water from the main suspect in the village,” he said, Saturday.
Jasmin added that investigations and intelligence-gathering are ongoing to trace the original supplier of the ketum water and mushroom liquid.
The operation was led by District Internal Security and Public Order Division head DSP Sukvinderjeet Singh Channan Singh, with officers from the Tawau District Police Headquarters (IPD).
“During inspections, the main suspect handed over 13 bottles believed to contain mushroom-type drug liquid and a cigarette box with dried plant material suspected to be cannabis. Additional items were seized around the house,” he said, adding that all suspects and seizures were taken to the Tawau IPD.
Preliminary urine tests on all eight suspects were negative, and background checks confirmed none had prior criminal records.
The case is being investigated by District Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division Assistant Investigating Officer Sgt Meliza Negel under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952 and Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
In Ranau, two men were arrested recently for allegedly having ketum water during the raid.
In Semporna also on Sunday, police detained a man suspected of having 22 bottles of the drug.
