IPOH: A 53-year-old man has been arrested for possessing 60kg of ketum leaves in a vehicle at the Behrang rest area south-bound along the North-South Expressway.

       Muallim OCPD Supt Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said the leaves worth about RM2,400 were found in seven sacks inside the vehicle at about 11pm on Saturday (Oct 16).

       He said a team of policemen conducting Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) compliance checks came across the suspect at the rest area.

       The man from Kedah was heading to Selangor, and had stopped at the rest area in Behrang when the arrest was made, he added.

       “Further checks also revealed that the man had only received one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and was travelling interstate, and so he was also issued a RM2,000 compound notice. The suspect also has a record of prior drug offences,” he said on Monday (Oct 18).

       Supt Sulizmie Affendy added that the man has been remanded until Wednesday (Oct 20) and the case is being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952.

       He said although travel is allowed, members of the public are advised to comply with SOP at all times.

       “Make sure you have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine before travelling,” he added.