KUALA LUMPUR: A Taiwanese drug syndicate attempting to establish a vape drug laboratory in Malaysia was dismantled by police following a three-month surveillance operation.

Acting Federal Narcotic Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Deputy Commissioner Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the syndicate was masterminded by a kingpin based in Taiwan.

"The group is believed to have rotated Taiwanese 'cooks' every three months in a bid to evade detection," he told reporters at Bukit Aman today.

He said two Taiwanese suspects were arrested on Wednesday at a luxury condominium in Brickfields, where they had allegedly rented a unit for RM4,100 a month.

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"The unit was being used as a makeshift laboratory to produce amphetamine-laced vape cartridges. Both suspects tested negative for drugs," he said.

Police seized 20 plastic jerrycans of chemicals, six 500ml bottles of vape liquid, and 95 empty vape cartridges. Equipment including mixers, weighing scales, heating and sealing machines believed to be used in processing the vape cartridges were also confiscated.

"Intelligence suggests the syndicate was targeting Malaysian youth and also intended to export the cartridges to buyers in Taiwan," he added.

The cartridges, Mat Zani said, were being sold for about RM180 in Malaysia and up to RM400 in Taiwan.

The total value of the drugs and chemicals seized is estimated at RM3.29 million.

"We believe these individuals are part of a larger drug network orchestrated by a kingpin operating from Taiwan. Both suspects possess technical knowledge in the processing of drug-laced vape products intended for the black market," he said.

The NCID has reached out to Taiwanese authorities to assist in further investigations.

According to checks by Taiwan's Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau and Criminal Investigation Bureau, one of the suspects has prior convictions for murder, drug use, firearms offences, extortion, and illegal gambling. The second suspect has previous records for drug use and driving under the influence.

"We will continue working with our Taiwanese counterparts to identify and apprehend the kingpin and remaining members of the syndicate so they can be brought to justice," he said.

He also urged the public to avoid using drug-laced vape products, warning of serious health consequences.

"Prolonged use of psychoactive substances in these cartridges can result in seizures, liver failure, psychosis, brain damage, thermoregulatory dysfunction, emotional instability, and even death due to cardiac or respiratory failure," he added.

Mat Zani reiterated NCID's firm stance against allowing foreign syndicates to use Malaysia as a base for drug processing, particularly operations that threaten the health and safety of Malaysians.