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Police have dismantled the country's first known syndicate distributing cocaine-laced vape liquid cartridges
Four individuals were arrested last Thursday, 19 June at a hotel car park in Ampang Jaya, leading to the seizure of 4,958 cocaine-laced vape liquid cartridges valued at RM7.2 million.
The drugs, which were reportedly smuggled in from Singapore, are believed to have been intended for local VIPs and international markets.
With a total street value of nearly RM7.29 million, the drugs could have endangered nearly 5,000 users
Federal police Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) acting director Datuk Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the syndicate is believed to have been operating since March of this year.
They reportedly utilised rented condominiums in and around Kuala Lumpur as packaging hubs, before distributing the cocaine-infused vape liquids to international markets.
He added that the cocaine had been fully processed and prepared for distribution when the suspects were arrested.
Mat Zani highlighted the intended use of the laced products and the dangers they pose
"We believe the syndicate had planned to use Malaysia as a transit hub, with drugs possibly smuggled in by land routes from the south.
"This is a new and dangerous trend. Cocaine is extremely difficult to obtain in Southeast Asia due to its high price and limited demand. It is usually trafficked only for the elite class and for export.
"Each vape cartridge was estimated to be worth RM1,500 on the international market and could deliver up to 100 inhalations," he said.
The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952
The Act carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment, as well as whipping upon conviction.
All suspects have been remanded for seven days to assist investigations and tested for drugs. Tests returned negative except for one suspect, who tested positive for ketamine.
"Background checks also showed the first suspect has a record of two crime-related offences involving abetment and theft.
"The second suspect has a past drug trafficking conviction in Singapore, while the remaining two have no [prior] records," said Mat Zani.
