ATM seizes 185kg of ketum leaves near Padang Terap

ALOR STAR: The Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) through the 5th Border Regiment confiscated 185kg of ketum leaves valued at RM17,575 believed to be smuggled to a neighbouring country this morning.
Army Sixth Brigade commander Brig Gen Abdul Aziz Ismail said the seizure was conducted by six personnel led by Second Lieutenant Muhamad Farid Mahfoz at 8am when three men were spotted riding motorcycles in a suspicious manner near the 34th Mile Gubir Pos operation area near Padang Terap.
He said the team attempted to stop the three motorcyclists in their 20's, when they seen heading towards the Malaysian-Thai border but they fled after abandoning their vehicles.
"The three men were carrying sacks of ketum leaves tied to the back of their motorcycles via an illegal route or 'rat hole'. Each of them was carrying two sacks of ketum leaves near the border fencing when our men approached them, they ran away.
"Also seized were three bottles of ketum juice worth about RM30 each as well as three motorcycles worth about RM11,000 in total," he said in a statement today.
Abdul Aziz said the contraband as well as the three motorcycles were handed over to Padang Terap police headquarters for further action.
In another development, he said the 5th Border Regiment nabbed seven Myanmar illegal immigrants while patrolling on motorcycles at Pos Sahara near Padang Terap at 8.30am.
Abdul Aziz said the illegal immigrants comprised two men and five women aged 17 and 40 were detained while attempting to cross into the country.
They were later sent to Padang Terap police headquarters for further action. — Bernama