Bukit aman: Police have busted three syndicates involved in the distribution of vape liquids containing synthetic drugs in separate operations across the Klang Valley last Thursday and Saturday.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan stated that the operations were executed following a viral incident involving two of seven school students in Sentul who required emergency treatment after becoming intoxicated from using vapes containing drug-laced liquid.
Under the operations codenamed Op Kesing, Op Madarini, and Op Eristalis, police arrested eight men, including two foreign nationals, and six foreign women, aged between 20 and 55. The authorities believe these individuals are connected to the three syndicates. Various types of drugs, estimated to be worth RM45.6 million, were also seized during the operations.
Hussein noted that the three syndicates are suspected to be linked through a network involved in distributing and supplying vape components and drug-laced vape liquids for both domestic and international markets. They are also believed to be connected to individuals who distributed drug-laced vapes to the school students in the recent case. This was disclosed during a press conference at the Cheras district police headquarters.
The syndicates are believed to have been active since early this year, utilizing houses in the Klang Valley and fish-processing factory premises as drug storage locations before distributing the drugs. Investigations revealed that the syndicates used boats to smuggle drugs to neighbouring countries while importing precursor chemicals from abroad under false declarations as accessories and fruit juice.
Items seized included 56 drums and 36 bottles containing approximately 742.74 kilogrammes of methamphetamine, 962 vape cartridges filled with methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) liquid, around eight kg of ketamine, 318 grammes of ecstasy pills, and 21 grammes of yaba pills.
Urine screening tests indicated that two of the arrested men tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. Additionally, two others have a total of 10 previous drug-related criminal records. All those arrested have been remanded for between six and seven days until July 31 to facilitate further investigations.
Hussein added that police also seized six vehicles, various jewellery items, and cash, with a total value of RM341,746, during the three operations.