KANGAR: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has thwarted a smuggling attempt with the seizure of 70kg of ketum leaves in waters south-west of Pantai Sungai Baru in Perlis on Sunday (May 8).

       Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone director Maritime Cmdr Mohd Hashim Mat Zain said the seizure, valued at about RM12,000, was made possible by a tip-off from the public.

       Acting on the information, the MMEA sent assets to the location and found four black plastic packages containing the ketum leaves floating in the area, he said in a statement on Monday (May 9).

       He said it was believed the packages were left there to be picked up and smuggled out to a neighbouring country.

       He said smuggling of ketum leaves was becoming rampant now due to its high price of RM180 per kg in Thailand compared to only RM70 per kg locally. – Bernama