Police dismantle illegal vape drug lab in Ampang, RM21.85 million in drugs seized
Police have successfully bust an illegal drug laboratory used to produce drugs-laced vape liquids, seizing an estimated RM21.92 million worth of drugs and assets in two separate raids on luxury condominium units in Ampang, Selangor. Photo by Bernama
SHAH ALAM – Police have successfully bust an illegal drug laboratory used to produce drugs-laced vape liquids, seizing an estimated RM21.92 million worth of drugs and assets in two separate raids on luxury condominium units in Ampang, Selangor. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan during a press conference today. Photo by Bernama
Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the raids were conducted on June 25 at about 4.10pm by the Federal Police Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID).
Five suspects, three Taiwanese men, a local man and a Vietnamese woman aged between 20 and 37 were arrested.
'In the first raid, we arrested four individuals and seized a range of drugs along with equipment used to produce vape liquids.
'In the second raid, at a separate condominium unit, we arrested another Taiwanese man, aged 28 and seized additional drugs,' he said during a press conference at the Selangor Police Headquarters on Tuesday.
In total, police seized 124.74 kilogrammes of liquid suspected to contain methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), 2.8 kilogrammes of cocaine powder, 0.041 kilogrammes of cannabis and 21 vape cartridges believed to contain either MDMA or cocaine.
Hussein said the amount seized considered potent enough to potentially harm over 638,000 users.
Initial investigations revealed that one of the suspects acted as the group's chemist, while the others played supporting roles, serving as runners and assistants.
He said that the syndicate is believed to have been operating since October 2024.
'Their modus operandi involved renting two luxury condominium units at RM6,000 per unit per month, which they converted into makeshift drug labs to process vape liquids for both local and international distribution.
'Authorities estimate the syndicate generated a monthly profit of around RM200,000 from drug trafficking activities,' 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 and no fewer than twelve strokes of the cane upon conviction.
He further said that five suspects have been remanded from June 26 to July 2 to assist in the ongoing investigation. Urine tests showed that only the fifth suspect tested positive for morphine.
Meanwhile, Hussein said that background checks found that two of the suspects had previous criminal records in Taiwan.
The second suspect was wanted for document forgery and had prior offences related to fraud, criminal intimidation and drug activities, while the third suspect had records for public disturbance and causing injury.
Authorities had also taken action under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, seizing assets estimated to be worth RM530,513.50.
Confiscated items included a Perodua Bezza car, five luxury watches, RM12,698 in local currency, TWD21,100 in Taiwanese dollars, USD$3,000 in cash, a bracelet and an laptop.
The combined total value of all seized drugs and property amounts to RM21.92 million.
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