New way of taking drugs uncovered in Malaysia: Substance mixed with flavourings and disguised as 3-in-1 drinks

Malaysian police watching over a group they arrested for drug use during a raid at a karaoke outlet. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

IPOH (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Sachets containing flavourings mixed with methamphetamine are now being widely sold at entertainment centres in Malaysia.

National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK) enforcement assistant director Zolkifli Mohd Dom said the sachet can slip unnoticed and is easily consumed.

"The sachets have pictures of their respective flavours. It looks similar to three-in-one beverage packets. Users just have to mix the contents to drink it," he said.

"During our raid at a karaoke outlet in Medan Istana, we found some mango-flavoured sachets," he said during a press conference here on Tuesday (Feb 13).

Zolkifli said the raid at the karaoke outlet, which was held together with the police, resulted in the arrests of 22 people aged between 20 and 30.

Perak AADK enforcement assistant director Azman Hashim said the raid was part of a 24-hour joint operation with the police that began on Monday morning.

"We arrested a total of 55 drug users at eight locations here.

"Apart from the karaoke outlet, we also caught other drug users at drug 'ports' (users hideouts) in Chemor, Jelapang, Tambun and Tanjung Rambutan," Azman said.

"Of the 55 nabbed, 45 are men. Their ages range from 19 to 66. The type of drugs found included opiate (heroin), methamphetamine and ganja.

"We will apply for a court order to remand those arrested for 14 days," he added.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.