3 Singaporeans arrested in Selangor as Malaysia police bust cocaine vape syndicate

Three Singaporeans were among four men arrested by the Malaysian police in Selangor, during a raid on a syndicate involved in the distribution of cocaine-laced e-vaporiser liquid.

The arrests took place in Ampang Jaya on June 19, said the Royal Malaysia Police’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) in a Facebook post on June 23.

Local media outlet New Straits Times (NST) reported that a 57-year-old Malaysian and two Singaporeans, aged 46 and 25, were arrested in a car near a hotel.

A 31-year-old Singaporean was also arrested in the hotel lobby.

The NCID said it found in the car – a Toyota Vellfire – 10 boxes containing 4,958 units of liquid vape cartridges suspected to contain 9.42 litres of cocaine, estimated to be valued at up to RM7.29 million (S$2.2 million).

NCID acting director Mat Zani Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said at a press conference on June 23 that the syndicate would rent luxury condominium units in Kuala Lumpur, where they would package the drugs before distributing them to other countries.

Datuk Mat Zani said three of the suspects were paid $100 to $200 a day, while the fourth suspect received the profit from the sale of the vapes.

According to NST, this is Malaysia’s first known cocaine vape distribution syndicate.

The syndicate is believed to have operated since March, Mr Mat Zani was quoted as saying by NST at the June 23 press conference.

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

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

The case is being investigated under Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act. If convicted, the suspects face the death penalty or life imprisonment with whipping.