Malaysian police arrested six men linked to drug-laced vape product sales after viral videos showed intoxicated individuals in Selangor and Johor by May 20, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The arrests followed investigations into the viral footage, with three local men admitting to live streaming intoxication to gain gifts from viewers, according to Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, director of the NCID/JSJN [2, 3].

Police seized vape liquids suspected to contain ketamine, furanyl fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other drugs during multiple raids across the country [1, 4, 2, 5, 3]. Operation Vape 1.0, led by NCID/JSJN from April 13 to 17, raided 1,670 vape-selling premises nationwide and arrested five suspects under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 [1, 2, 3]. They seized 19.67 kg of vape liquid suspected of containing furanyl fentanyl and 186.54 kg of vape liquid without drugs, valued at RM4.6 million [1, 2].

In Johor, police carried out three raids on May 18 in Iskandar Puteri and Johor Baru, busting a narcotic-laced vape cartridge syndicate and seizing drugs worth RM16.4 million [4, 5]. Acting Johor police chief Hoo Chuan Huat said the syndicate operated since January, using shophouses as drug labs to process vape cartridges for local distribution [5]. Authorities arrested four suspects aged 27 to 60, including two foreign chemists and a local mastermind and financier [4, 5]. The haul included 94.76 litres of liquid methamphetamine and 14.61 kg of chemicals, enough to supply about 120,649 users [4, 5].

On May 19, Penang police arrested two suspects aged 36 and 42 linked to the "Piau Piau" vape-drug syndicate in Seberang Perai Utara [6]. Police seized drugs and assets totaling RM199,794.50, including vehicles and cash [6]. Penang police chief Datuk Azizee Ismail said the syndicate distributed methamphetamine liquid, MDMA powder, ketamine, and Erimin 5 pills concealed in vape cartridges [6]. As of May 2026, Penang recorded 115 vape-related drug cases and 207 arrests related to these cases [6].

Datuk Hussein Omar Khan emphasized the health risks of these drug-laced vape products, warning that vape abuse may promote unhealthy lifestyles and become a means of synthetic drug use [1, 2, 3].

The authorities continue investigations into the syndicates and have signaled further operations targeting vape-drug abuse nationwide.