PADANG BESAR: After a period of lukewarm demand, smugglers from Thailand are back, trying to obtain the supply of ketum which is known for its superior quality compared to similar plants cultivated in the neighbouring country.
The renewed demand from the Thailand side was discovered by the Customs Department after it seized 676kg of ketum in two locations near the Malaysian-Thai border in Kaki Bukit here.
Perlis Customs Department director Ismail Hashim said the first seizure was made at an unnumbered house in Jalan Kampung Batu 15, Kaki Bukit, on Jan 3.
"We seized 23 sacks of ketum weighing about 476kg worth RM4,760 at the house," he said in a press conference at the Padang Besar Customs office.
Ismail said in a separate raid on Jan 4, the department seized 200kg of ketum worth some RM2,000 at a vacant hut in Jalan Kampung Wang Kelian.
However, no arrest was made during the raids as the premises were left unattended.
"We believe the syndicate was using the premises as a transit point before smuggling the leaves to the neighbouring country through 'rat lanes'," said Ismail.
He added that although the demand for local ketum from Thailand had plunged after the neighbouring country decided to legalise its usage, there is still some demand for Malaysian ketum especially during supply shortages north of the border.
"We believe there is some supply shortage there due to replanting processes," he said.
Ismail said the price of smuggled Malaysian ketum in Thailand now hovers at about RM10 per kg as compared to between RM70 and RM100 per kg before it was legalised there.