KOTA BARU: A 27-year-old constable and his friend have been detained for possessing 400kg of ketum leaves worth about RM40,000 at Batu 9 near Tanah Merah yesterday.
State police chief Datuk Dr Ab Rahman Ismail said the policeman, attached with the Gua Musang police station, was travelling with the friend in a Toyota Estima when they were nabbed about 2pm.
"A Customs Department team chased the vehicle after it passed through Kampung Nibong and intercepted it about 10km away. After checking the car, the officers found several plastic bags containing the leaves," he said.
Dr Ab Rahman said initial investigation showed the ketum leaves were brought into the state from Kedah and meant for local distribution.
"We suspected that the ketum leaves will be sold to suppliers here with the price of RM10 each." he said.