The unclaimed daun ketum that were seized by the police.
KOTA KINABALU: An unclaimed box containing six kilograms of Mitragyna Speciosa leaves, or better known as daun ketum, was seized by the police at a courier company here recently.
City police chief ACP Habibi Majinji said investigation revealed the parcel was sent by courier from Alor Setar, Kedah and was seized by police on Jan 15 after it was left unclaimed.
“About six kilograms of daun ketum was seized from a courier company after it was left unclaimed.
“The leaves are prohibited in Malaysia under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952,” he said yesterday.
Some of the drugs that were confiscated during the operation that saw 57 people detained.
Meanwhile, Habibi said 57 drug suspects were detained by narcotics police during a week-long operation around the state capital.
The operation, which started on Jan 12 to 18 were carried out at several hot spot areas such as Likas and Tanjung Aru.
The suspects, said Habibi, comprised of 38 locals and 19 foreigners, aged between 18 and 53.
Twelve of the suspects were believed to be drug pushers while 45 are drug addicts.
The case is currently being investigated under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Habibi added that initial investigation revealed all the seized items weighed around 6,023.14 grams with a market price of RM4,000.