BAYAN LEPAS: Two local men went to the extent of renting a luxury home along Persiaran Kelicap here for the past six months solely to carry out ketum juice processing activities.

Their operation was uncovered following a raid conducted by a team of police officers at around 2.30pm today.

Southwest district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Sazalee Adam, said police also seized two water drums containing 600 packets of ketum juice and 15 packages of ketum leaves weighing 75kg.

He said the total value of the seizure was estimated at RM3,400.

"During the raid, both suspects were found in the midst of processing the ketum juice in a large pot.

"The arrests involved two unemployed local men aged 40 and 42.

"Both are believed to be acting as 'pushers' or ketum juice suppliers," he told reporters today.

Sazalee added that the suspects and the seized items were brought to the police station for further investigation.

He said investigations revealed that the house had been rented by the suspects for six months solely for this illegal activity.

"The market price for a packet of ketum juice is about RM5 in the Southwest District area, and monthly earnings could reach up to RM6,000.

"The ketum juice supply is sourced from the northern region of the country, and the suspects appear to have a regular supplier," he added.

According to Sazalee, one of the suspects has a previous record related to ketum, and police are working to determine whether they are part of a larger network.