Police in Kuala Lumpur have dismantled part of a drug syndicate following a series of raids that led to nine arrests and the seizure of narcotics worth an estimated RM1.48 million (about S$425,000). The coordinated operations, carried out on 22 August, targeted several locations across the Klang Valley and involved both Malaysian and a Thai national, aged between 24 and 34.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus confirmed during a press briefing that the group had been packaging illegal substances inside liquid vape cartridges, making detection extremely difficult. He warned that the syndicate’s products had already made their way into the hands of young people, including school students, heightening public health concerns.
Authorities also confiscated several luxury sports cars believed to be linked to the drug network. Early investigations suggest that the syndicate, which had been operating since late 2024, used high-end condominiums as storage and processing hubs before deploying runners to distribute the drugs.
Vapes Used as Drug Carriers
The discovery of narcotics hidden within vape cartridges is particularly alarming given the widespread popularity of vaping. Comm Fadil noted that it is almost impossible for the public to distinguish between a regular vape and one laced with drugs. This method of concealment is part of a growing global trend where drug traffickers adapt to evade detection by authorities.
In Malaysia, where vaping is already under scrutiny, such developments raise questions about the adequacy of current regulations and the need for stricter monitoring of the vape industry. Health experts have repeatedly warned that drug-laced vapes could create a hidden public health crisis, especially among youths drawn to vaping as a perceived safer alternative to smoking.
Expanding Police Crackdowns
In addition to the anti-drug operations, Kuala Lumpur police also launched a large-scale anti-scam raid in Bangsar South on 27 August. While details remain limited, Comm Fadil confirmed that arrests were made and investigations are ongoing.
The two operations signal a widening police crackdown on organised crime in Malaysia’s capital, ranging from drug syndicates to scam networks. Authorities have vowed to intensify efforts to curb these activities, which they say pose significant risks to both public safety and economic stability.
For now, the nine suspects remain in custody as police pursue further leads into the syndicate’s operations and financial network.
Image Source: The Star