Malaysian police have successfully broken up a large drug operation in Selangor, leading to the arrest of three Singaporean men along with a Malaysian national. This syndicate was reportedly involved in dealing with cocaine-laced e-vaporiser liquid. The arrests took place in Ampang Jaya on June 19, and the news was shared by the Royal Malaysia Police’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) on June 23.
The operation involved two separate raids. In the first, police stopped a Toyota Vellfire car at the exit of a hotel in Ampang Jaya. Inside the car, investigators found 10 boxes. These boxes contained a staggering 4,958 units of vape cartridges, which police strongly suspect were filled with about 9.42 liters of liquid cocaine. The street value of this haul is estimated to be a massive RM7.29 million, which translates to roughly S$2.2 million. In this initial raid, a 57-year-old Malaysian man, who was driving the car, was arrested along with two Singaporeans aged 46 and 25.
Following this, a second raid was carried out shortly after in the lobby of the same hotel. The police apprehended a 31-year-old Singaporean man. This individual is believed to be the main person, or “mastermind,” behind this drug smuggling group.
According to Datuk Mat Zani Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali, the acting director of the NCID, the syndicate had a specific way of operating. They would rent fancy apartment units, known as luxury condominiums, in different parts of Kuala Lumpur. These rented spots served as their base where they would package the drugs. Once packaged, the cocaine-laced vape liquids were then meant to be sent to other countries. He mentioned at a press conference on June 23 that this particular syndicate is thought to have been active since around March of this year.
This is believed to be Malaysia’s “first known cocaine vape distribution syndicate.” This indicates a new method drug traffickers are using to try and get around the authorities. Datuk Mat Zani further explained that they believe Malaysia was being used as a transit hub, meaning the drugs were likely brought into Malaysia and then planned to be moved out to other places. He noted, “We believe the syndicate had planned to use Malaysia as a transit hub, with drugs possibly smuggled in by land routes from the south.”
The value of these individual vape cartridges is quite high on the international black market. Each cartridge, which can allow for up to 100 inhalations, is estimated to be worth around RM1,500. This type of cocaine, often referred to as being for “the elite,” is harder to come by and is quite expensive in the Southeast Asian region.
The suspects are now facing serious charges under Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Under this law, if found guilty, they could face the death penalty or a long prison sentence along with caning. Police investigations also revealed that one of the arrested suspects tested positive for ketamine, and two of them had past criminal records related to other crimes and drug offenses.
Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) has confirmed that they are aware of the arrest of the three Singaporean nationals. A spokesperson for the CNB stated that they “will render the required assistance to our counterparts in Malaysia to aid their investigation.” They also added that it would not be appropriate to comment further since the investigation is still ongoing.
