ALOR SETAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has foiled an attempt to smuggle about 2.2 tonnes of ketum leaves worth more than RM300,000 out of the country.

       Kuala Kedah zone MMEA director Commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak said the seizure was made 0.15 nautical miles of Kuala Sala estuary at about 6am on Sunday (March 20).

       "The seizure was made based on the intelligence information relating to the suspicious loading activity at the estuary of Kuala Sala.

       "A MMEA patrol boat which was on Ops Aman routine operation was dispatched to the location to detect the activity," she said in a statement on Sunday (March 20).

       Commander Noor Azreyanti said upon reaching the location, the patrol boat spotted scattered piles of black rubbish bags in a suspicious manner at the edge of the estuary.

       She said further inspection on the rubbish bags found green leaves believed to be ketum leaves in 220 packets weighing about 2.2 tonnes which were believed to have just been placed at the location.

       She said ketum leaves were believed to be smuggled out to neighbouring countries through sea routes.

       The confiscated ketum leaves, which were worth an estimated RM396,000, were brought to Kuala Kedah Maritime Zone jetty and were handed over to the investigation officer for further investigation.

       She said the case would be investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952 for ketum abuse and if found guilty can be fined not more than RM10,000 and jail not more than four years or both.

       "MMEA is serious in combating the smuggling activity of the contraband item. During the course of this month only, three seizures of ketum leaves worth RM380,000 in total have been recorded by the agency," she said.

       MMEA welcomes any complaints of maritime offences at sea or emergencies, and the public can call the MMEA hotline at 04-7310579 or MERS 999.