Meanwhile, checks after the Apr 17 operations uncovered “155 vape cartridges suspected to contain furanylfentanyl weighing 1.7kg and 22 packets of MDMA powder weighing 0.66kg,” Hussein was quoted as saying by The Star.
“The total amount of furanylfentanyl liquid seized was 18.56kg, with an estimated value of RM2.8 million,” he added.
While The Star and Free Malaysia Today reported that the drug-laced vapes were sold openly at vape outlets, another local news outlet New Straits Times (NST) said they were instead restricted to select buyers.
Separately, Hussein said that a total of 1,670 vape outlets were inspected nationwide, with 728 found in violation of regulations.
“Overall, 20 individuals were arrested, with seizures of 8,091 devices, 5,257 cartridges and 19.67kg of drugs.
“Also seized were 186.54kg of vape liquid not containing drugs, bringing the total value of seizures to RM4.6 million,” he said.
Earlier, NST reported last week that police foiled an attempt to introduce fentanyl into Malaysia after it was found concealed in vape cartridges during coordinated raids in the Klang Valley area.
The 400 vape cartridges were among more than half a tonne of drugs worth over RM31.5 million seized after police crippled a syndicate believed to be supplied by a drug ring operating within the Golden Triangle.
The Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia is one of the major producers of illicit drugs.
This region includes northern Thailand, western Laos, and eastern Myanmar.
