SANDAKAN: The police have dismantled an operation involving the processing of ketum water and the distribution of vape liquids containing drugs at a residence in Taman Tai Fai Yen, resulting in the arrest of a local man last Friday.
According to Deputy Police Chief of Sandakan, Supt K Ramasamy, the 42-year-old suspect was apprehended by the narcotics investigation unit while engaged in the processing of these materials at his residence around noon.
The authorities seized 7.85 kilogrammes of ketum powder, along with equipment used for processing and storing ketum water, as well as 227 bottles of various brands and sizes of vape liquids containing drugs, with an estimated total value of RM25,230.
Initial investigations revealed that the suspect had been processing and selling ketum water directly to regular customers, disguising himself as a food delivery person to transport the ketum water and drug-laden vape liquids in order to evade police detection, Ramasamy stated in a press release today.
He further noted that the suspect, who lacks stable employment, has been involved in the processing of ketum water and the sale of vape liquids for the past two years and has previously been arrested multiple times for similar offences.
The suspect is currently in police custody for four days until August 20 for further investigation under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952. Additionally, the police are actively seeking the supplier of the illegal substances to the suspect, Ramasamy added.
