Vape culture in Malaysia has taken a dangerous turn.
Police last week uncovered a syndicate turning e-cigarettes into tools to deliver drugs, seizing cartridges and flavoured bottled liquids laced with methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) worth nearly RM1.5 million.
The case underscores a growing threat in Malaysia’s drug landscape. Traffickers are now disguising MDMA in everyday products like vape juice, making the drugs easier to distribute, harder to detect, and dangerously accessible to young people, even schoolchildren.
The discovery came during a series of raids by Kuala Lumpur police’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department and the Federal Police, which led to the arrest of nine suspects including the mastermind and a 29-year-old Thai woman.
The group, aged between 24 and 34, was allegedly running a sophisticated distribution network across the Klang Valley.
“Drug syndicates are now hiding MDMA in vape liquids. This is particularly worrying because it appeals to younger users who may not even realise they are consuming drugs,” said Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus.
He said the packaging of the seized vape liquids looked no different from regular e-cigarette products on the market. Bright labels, fruity flavours such as strawberry, and professional-style bottling made the drug-laced liquids appear indistinguishable from normal vape juices.
Each bottle of the drug-laced juices was sold for between RM200 and RM300, making it highly profitable compared to the street price of traditional ecstasy pills. Police estimated the entire haul could supply more than 35,000 users.
“This is what makes it so dangerous,” said Fadil.
“At first glance, the packaging looks no different from regular vape products. Parents may be clueless that the vape their children purchased could contain drugs,” he said, adding that vape usage covers all segments of the community including students.
What is MDMA?
MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic psychoactive drug that creates euphoric and stimulant effects. Once consumed mostly as pills at clubs and raves, traffickers are now dissolving the drug into vape liquids, making it easier to distribute and harder for authorities to trace.
The syndicate
Investigations revealed the group used “gated and guarded” condominiums in Kuala Lumpur as processing and storage centres, before deploying runners to distribute the drug-laced vape products across the Klang Valley. The syndicate is believed to have been operating since 2024.
“They use secure luxury condominiums to store their items. This is why we keep appealing to the public for information. I believe that the best intelligence comes from neighbours and residents. So, if you find your neighbours behaving suspiciously or notice anything that is out of place, please channel the information to us,” Fadil told the press.
Although all suspects tested negative for drugs, they are being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping. Five suspects have been remanded until Aug 29 while the remainder were released on bail.
Police also froze assets worth RM1.53 million, including more than half a million ringgit in cash, designer bags, branded watches, a Mercedes-Benz, a Ford Mustang and a BMW believed to have been bought with drug proceeds.
A growing threat
The case highlights a disturbing trend – as traditional pill and powder smuggling becomes riskier, traffickers are pivoting to vapes. By mixing narcotics with fruit-flavoured e-liquids and packaging them to look like everyday vape products, syndicates are disguising hard drugs in a form that is almost impossible to spot without testing.
Authorities fear the rise of “vape drugs” could open the door to a new generation of addiction in Malaysia.
“We are facing a number of challenges in tackling drug-laced vape methods. Syndicates keep on enhancing technology to improve their product,” said Fadil.
Because of that, Fadil said, the authorities have to study ways to fight drug activities, whether by improving policy or enhancing laws to empower the police to act.
“We are working hard to tackle the drug issue and I strongly believe that the best way is always by cutting the supply chain.”