Pubdate: Tue, 10 Jan 2006
Source: Malay Mail (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2006 The New Straits Times Press
Contact:  http://www.mmail.com.my/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3834
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
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TWO HELD FOR POSSESSION OF KETUM LEAVES

SUBANG JAYA, Jan 10:

Two friends from Besut, Terengganu, will have to celebrate Hari Raya
Haji in jail after they were nabbed for possession of five kilogrammes
of 'daun ketum' in Puchong here on Saturday.

The men, in their late 20s, were to have returned to their kampung
yesterday with the leaves - scientifically known as Mitragyna speciosa
- - if not for a run-in with four Rela members on patrol in Kampung Sri
Aman about 4pm on Saturday.

It is learnt that the duo had picked the leaves from trees that grow
not far from the kampung before they were arrested.

Subang Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Fuad Talib said
the Rela members contacted the police who then went to the kampung to
arrest the two suspects.

The case is being investigated under Section 30 (3) of the Poison Act
1952.

Those caught in possession could face a maximum fine of RM10,000 or a
jail term of up to four years, or both, upon conviction.

Meanwhile, in an anti-narcotics operation last Friday, police screened
62 people in Puchong and Subang Jaya, while conducting spot checks on
cyber cafes, snooker centres and the roadsides.

Mohd Fuad said 17 people tested positive while seven others were
detained after police found 162 grammes of ganja in their rented flats
in Puchong Permai.

Leaves Popular As Alternative Medicine, Energy Drink

'Daun ketum' is indigenous to Malaysia, and mostly grows wild in the
northern part of the peninsula, from Kedah to as far as Thailand.

In these areas, there are even ketum farms which provide a regular
income for the cultivators.

The leaves have various uses, including being a cheap alternative
medicine.

Currently, daun ketum is classified as an illicit substance and
officially banned.

Ketum is generally regarded as a 'substitute' for other types of drug
abuse, especially ganja (cannabis).

When chewed, the leaves are said to give a 'high' and supposedly
helped addicts with opium or heroin withdrawal symptoms, which
otherwise would be agonising.

There are claims that ketum juice, when boiled, acts as a general
tonic.

Labourers, farmers and fishermen in the Northern and East Coast States
are said to drink the juice to 'revitalise' their lost energy.
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MAP posted-by: Tom