TELUK INTAN: The police have arrested a 48-year-old jobless man and seized some 225kg worth of ketum leaves at Jalan Kampung Sungai Rubana here.

Hilir Perak OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Marzukhi Mohd Mokhtar said the man was arrested during an operation and the leaves were found in his car at about 3.15pm on Thursday (July 18).

"He is believed to be driving to Selangor when we stopped his car.

"We found 20 black plastic bags containing about 100kg of the leaves in the backseat and another 25 bags with 125kg of the leaves in the boot.

"The total worth of the leaves is about RM2,250.

"We believe the leaves were meant for distribution to his clients," he said in a statement.

ACP Mohd Marzukhi said the man would be investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act.

"He tested negative for drugs. He started processing the leaves into ketum water since early this year," he said, adding that the suspect also has a previous criminal record.

"If convicted, he can be fined not more than RM10,000 or maximum four years' in jail or both," he added.