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POLICE have dismantled three syndicates involved in the distribution of vape products containing synthetic drugs, following a series of special operations that resulted in the arrest of 14 individuals and the seizure of contraband worth more than RM45.6 million.
The crackdown was launched following an incident on 22 July in Sentul, where seven secondary school students were found unconscious after allegedly using vape products containing synthetic drug-laced liquid.
Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the syndicates had allegedly imported drug supplies, including vape devices, through online channels from overseas before making false declarations that the goods were accessories and fruit juice to evade detection while being transported in containers.
He said the emergence of vape products containing suspected synthetic drugs represented a new and serious challenge in the country’s fight against drug-related crimes.
"The situation is becoming increasingly worrying following the incident involving seven students in Sentul, who were found intoxicated after using vape products containing drug-laced liquid, resulting in two of them being rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
"This phenomenon is extremely serious and requires firm action to curb the spread of drug-laced vape products among the public," he said at a press conference at the Cheras District Police Headquarters.
Hussein said NCID had intensified enforcement and intelligence operations nationwide to identify, disrupt and dismantle syndicates involved in the distribution of illegal substances, particularly to safeguard younger members of society.
Under Op Kesing, conducted on 23 July, police dismantled a syndicate allegedly controlled by foreign nationals, arresting three Malaysian men, five foreign women aged between 20 and 45, and a foreign man believed to be the syndicate leader.
Raids carried out in Kajang, Gombak and Sentul resulted in the seizure of 742.74 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine, 1.54 kilograms of methamphetamine powder, 27.52 kilograms of liquid MDMA, 3.38 kilograms of MDMA powder, 4.16 kilograms of ketamine, 1.54 kilograms of Erimin 5 pills, 318 grams of ecstasy pills, 21 grams of Yaba pills, 151 grams of cannabis and 962 vape cartridges containing MDMA liquid.
In a separate operation on the same day, Op Madarini saw police cripple a syndicate believed to have been active since early this year, using houses around the Klang Valley as storage and packaging facilities for drug-laced vape products before exporting them overseas.
The operation led to the arrest of two Malaysian men and a foreign man aged between 27 and 55.
Police seized 1,340 vape cartridges containing MDMA liquid, with an estimated value of RM402,000.
Hussein said urine tests showed one suspect had tested positive for amphetamine, while checks found two Malaysian suspects had a combined record of 10 previous drug-related offences.
"All suspects were remanded for seven days from 24 July until tomorrow to assist investigations," he said.
Meanwhile, Op Eristalis, conducted on 25 July through a joint operation involving Bukit Aman NCID and the Sabak Bernam District Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division, foiled an attempt by another syndicate to transport drug supplies by boat before distributing them to neighbouring countries through sea routes.
Two foreign nationals — a man and a woman aged 26 and 27 — were arrested in Sabak Bernam.
Police seized 4.16 kilograms of ketamine, 7.12 kilograms of ecstasy pills, 3.04 kilograms of Erimin 5 pills, 837 grams of methamphetamine and 3,750 vape cartridges containing MDMA liquid.
Hussein said the syndicate had allegedly used a fish processing factory as a storage facility to conceal the illegal operation before transporting the drugs to neighbouring countries by boat.
"The value of the seizures from the operation is estimated at RM2.7 million," he said. - July 29, 2026
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