THE Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department has launched an intensified crackdown on drug-laced vape products following the circulation of disturbing viral videos showing individuals appearing intoxicated and disoriented after excessive vaping sessions.
Six men, including a suspected supplier of vape products believed to contain narcotic substances, were arrested in separate operations linked to the incidents, as police warned that vape abuse was rapidly emerging as a new channel for synthetic drug consumption.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said authorities viewed the trend seriously due to the growing risk posed by modified vape liquids containing dangerous substances.
“The department views vape abuse seriously as it could become a medium for drug use and promote unhealthy lifestyles,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
He added that investigators had not ruled out the possibility that certain vape products were being mixed with synthetic drugs and other harmful chemicals capable of endangering users.
One of the investigations stemmed from a viral social media video showing two men in a suspected intoxicated state after allegedly vaping drug-laced substances at an apartment in Selangor.
“Investigations into a viral video showing two men believed to be intoxicated after vaping substances suspected to contain drugs at an apartment in Selangor led to the arrest of three local men, including the two individuals in the video and a supplier of the vape products,” Hussein said.
“Police also seized a bottle of vape liquid suspected to contain ketamine during the raid.”
In a separate operation, police acted against another viral video involving two men vaping during a livestream broadcast on a social media platform in Johor Bahru.
“Three local men, including the two individuals in the video, were arrested. They admitted conducting the live broadcast to receive gifts from viewers,” Hussein said.
Authorities believe social media livestreams involving reckless vaping behaviour are increasingly being used to attract online audiences and generate digital rewards, raising concerns over the glamorisation of substance abuse among younger users.
The arrests follow the nationwide Ops Vape 1.0 enforcement operation conducted between April 13 and 17, involving cooperation between the police, the Health Ministry, the National Anti-Drugs Agency, local authorities, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
The operation focused on inspecting vape-selling premises and identifying individuals involved in the distribution and sale of vape liquids suspected to contain illicit substances.
“A total of 1,670 vape-selling premises were raided, while five individuals, comprising two local men, a Chinese national and two local women, were arrested under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952,” Hussein said.
Police also seized 19.67 kilogrammes of vape liquid suspected to contain Furanyl Fentanyl, a highly dangerous synthetic opioid, along with 186.54 kilogrammes of vape liquid without detected drug content.
The total value of the seized items was estimated at RM4.6 million.
Hussein urged parents and the wider public to closely monitor behavioural changes among youths and warned against underestimating the escalating threat posed by drug-infused vape products.
He also called on members of the public with information relating to drug activities to contact the department’s hotline at 012-208 7222. - May 20, 2026
See video here (from theSun): https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BbA63Rk15/
