Hard Prison Time for Asian Kratom Smugglers

Mitragyna speciosa may be native to Southeast Asia, but that doesn’t mean kratom use is universally accepted in the region. This point is illustrated perfectly by one recent news event.

Two Malaysian men recently learned the hard way that kratom remains illegal in some Asian nations. They are now facing corporal punishment and up to 30 years in prison. While it’s legal to Buy Yellow Vietnam Kratom and other strains in most countries, Singapore has a zero-tolerance policy. The island city-state views kratom as being no different from heroin.

Despite its popularity and usefulness, Kratom is banned in several nations. Visit https://kratomkrush.com/shop/yellow-vietnam-kratom-powder/ to shop for Yellow Vietnam Kratom powder.

Here’s what kratom enthusiasts need to know about the story and its background.

  1. Smugglers Caught by the ICA

The two smugglers, both Malaysian men in their 30s, were detained by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Jurong Port. They were in possession of four bottles that contained a brown liquid. The men also had two nearly empty bottles that contained remnants of the same substance. The arresting authorities believe this substance may have contained kratom.

In most places, kratom does not come in liquid form. Western consumers tend to buy it as dried and powdered leaves or in capsule form. Some Southeast Asian kratom enthusiasts prefer to chew the fresh leaves or use tinctures. Many also pre-mix kratom tea using powder. This may have been the case with the men arrested at Jurong Port.

  1. Severity of Punishment if Convicted

If convicted, the two men will face between five and 30 years in prison. They will also receive between five and 15 lashes of the cane as a form of corporal punishment. The men will be tried by the Central Narcotics Bureau.

  1. These Men Were Not the First to Be Punished

According to Central News Asia, the men detailed at the Jurong Port were not the first to face charges for kratom smuggling. Two Malaysian motorcyclists were also caught attempting to smuggle kratom through the Woodlands Checkpoint. Like the two men arrested at Jurong Port, they were carrying liquid kratom.

In this region of Asia, kratom is also known as:

  • Ketum
  • Ithang
  • Biak biak
  • Thom

No matter what it’s called, kratom is a popular botanical agent in this part of the world. The two unrelated men were only carrying one soft-drink bottle and two plastic bags’ worth of liquid between them. It is highly likely that they were carrying kratom for personal use, which is also illegal.

  1. Legal Status of Kratom in Southeast Asia

Kratom’s two primary active alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are primarily responsible for its physical and psychoactive effects. They’re also considered Class A controlled substances in Singapore. Class A substances are banned under the Misuse of Drugs act. That’s a big problem in a country known for having some of the strictest drug laws in the world.

Despite its legal status in Singapore, kratom is considered a legal and beneficial herbal supplement in many locations. Kratom trees are not indigenous to the island, though they are found throughout mainland Southeast Asia. In countries where the tree grows wild, people have been using kratom for centuries.

Today, kratom is banned in these Southeast Asian nations:

  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Malaysia
  • Myanmar
  • Vietnam

Where Is Kratom Legal in Southeast Asia?

Some nations in Southeast Asia still grow and export kratom. Indonesia supplies around 95% of the kratom exported to the United States, to give just one example. The government is in the process of banning kratom cultivation. As of 2020, it remains legal to grow and export the raw material.

It will take five years for the government to finish its transition to a full kratom ban. Thankfully, activists across the world are already hard at work petitioning to have the ban lifted.

In the meantime, Thailand seems to be changing its tune on kratom use and export. It was the first country in the region to ban kratom in 1943. As of 2018, Thailand’s government has recognized the potential therapeutic and medicinal benefits of kratom. This inspired the decision to make cultivating, possessing, using, importing, and exporting kratom legal again.

  1. Implications for International Kratom Enthusiasts

International kratom users who live in nations like the United States where the herb remains legal should not resort to purchasing black market products. They can buy Green Ketapang Kratom and other high-quality strains online from reputable vendors.

It is advisable to buy Kratom powder from reputed vendors. You can learn more about Ketapang Kratom powder from reputed vendors.

Kratom vendors have established working relationships with farmers in places like Thailand and Indonesia. Since kratom cultivation and export is still legal in these nations, there’s no way for exporters to wind up facing jail time. Kratom is also legal across most of the United States, so vendors don’t have to worry about punishment for drug trafficking in america.

  1. What Is Mitragyna Speciosa?

Mitragyna speciosa is the scientific name for the kratom tree, native to Southeast Asia. This tree is known for its colorful foliage and its strong alkaloid profile. The leaves are dried, powdered, and used as an herbal supplement to improve mood, increase energy, and alleviate pain.

  1. Avoid Legal Issues

It doesn’t matter how strongly kratom enthusiasts feel about the benefits of this herbal supplement. As these four Malaysian men have learned the hard way, there’s no excuse for breaking the law. Don’t bring kratom leaf to countries or states where it is illegal, even if it’s only intended for personal use.