Cops bring down two syndicates processing and distributing drug-laced vapes

SHAH ALAM: Drugs worth around RM25mil were seized as police busted two syndicates processing drug-laced vapes and juices in the Klang Valley.

The syndicates also operated drug processing labs from condominiums as well as terrace houses.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said in the first operation, police personnel from the Bukit Aman and Selangor Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) raided two condominium units in Ampang at about 4pm on June 25.

“We detained five individuals aged between 20 and 37, including three Taiwanese men.

“We also seized various drugs, including seven vape cartridges filled with cocaine, 14 cartridges filled with MDMA as well as other drugs, worth RM21.39mil,” he told a press conference at the Selangor police headquarters yesterday.

The drugs seized could have been supplied to 638,395 addicts, he added.

“Among those detained was the chemist.

“The syndicate paid RM6,000 in rent monthly for each condominium unit.

“They used the condo units as drug labs to produce drug-laced vapes for the local and overseas market,” he said.

Comm Hussein said the syndicate has been active since October last year and earned a profit of at least RM200,000 a month.

“One of the suspects tested positive for morphine. Two of them had prior criminal records for forgery of documents, extortion and assault.

“We also seized several of the syndicate’s assets worth RM530,513, including cars, luxury watches and cash.

“We believe the drugs were smuggled from a neighbouring country,” he said.

In the second operation, some RM4.2mil worth of drug juices and drugs were seized following several raids in Ampang, Pandan Perdana, Kuchai Lama and Taman Connaught on June 26, Comm Hussein said.

“A total of 13 individuals, 12 locals and a Vietnamese aged between 20 and 41 were detained.

“We also busted two drug juice processing labs in terrace houses in Ampang and Pandan Perdana,” he said.

Among the items seized were 1,510 boxes and 728 bottles of juices containing MDMA, ecstasy pills, erimin 5 pills and ketamine, he added.

“The drugs could have been supplied to about two million addicts,” he said.

Comm Hussein said four of the suspects detained were chemists, one an assistant chemist, and the others were runners for the syndicate.

“We believe the syndicate were supplying the drug juices to entertainment outlets and private parties.

“They would process the drugs at the houses and store the juices in cars before distributing them,” he said.

Several of the syndicate’s assets worth RM826,202 were also seized, including eight vehicles, cash, rings and necklaces, he said.

Nine of the suspects tested positive for ketamine, methamphetamine and benzo, with two of them having prior criminal records, he added.

“The syndicate had been operating for about a year,” he said.

Following the two major operations, Comm Hussein said the police had thoroughly dismantled two syndicates and brought down their whole chain of drug trafficking networks.

“We are not ruling out the possibility that the syndicates were using social media to market their drugs,” he said.

Comm Hussein said the two raids showed the police’s commitment towards combating the drug menace.

“We need the cooperation of the public to provide information on drug-related activities.

“We urge those with information to contact the NCID hotline at 012-208 7222,” he said.