KUALA LUMPUR: Police have crippled the country's first-known cocaine vape distribution syndicate following the arrest of four men, including three Singaporean, in Ampang Jaya last week.

Federal police Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) acting director Datuk Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the arrests, carried out on June 19, following intelligence received on their activities.

He said the first suspect, a 57-year-old local, was detained along with two Singaporeans, aged 46 and 25, in a Toyota Vellfire parked at the exit lane of a hotel in Ampang Jaya.

"A fourth suspect, a 31-year-old Singaporean, was nabbed shortly after at the lobby of the same hotel.

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"A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 10 boxes containing 4,958 vape cartridges filled with liquid suspected to be cocaine, amounting to 9,420ml where the stash was found in the rear passenger area," he told reporters here today.

Mat Zani said the total street value of the drugs is estimated at RM7.29 million and is enough to endanger nearly 5,000 users.

He said the syndicate is believed to have been operating since March this year, using rented condominiums around the capital as packaging hubs before distributing the cocaine-laced vape liquids to international markets.

He also said that the cocaine had been fully processed and was ready for distribution before the suspects were intercepted. 

"We believe the syndicate had planned to use Malaysia as a transit hub, with drugs possibly smuggled in by land routes from the south.

"This is a new and dangerous trend. Cocaine is extremely difficult to obtain in Southeast Asia due to its high price and limited demand. It is usually trafficked only for the elite class and for export.

"Each vape cartridge was estimated to be worth RM1,500 on the international market and could deliver up to 100 inhalations," he said. 

As such, he said, the case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment with whipping upon conviction. 

All suspects have been remanded for seven days from June 20 to 26 to assist investigations.

He also said preliminary urine tests found only the fourth suspect positive for ketamine.

"Background checks also showed the first suspect has a record of two crime-related offences involving abetment and theft. 

"The second suspect has a past drug trafficking conviction in Singapore, while the remaining two have no records.

"We also took action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, seizing assets worth RM2,975, including a beaded bracelet adorned with two dragon charms and a gold-coloured sycee," he said.