Latest news with #PoisonsAct1952
Daily Express
3 days ago
- Daily Express
Processing, sale of ketum juice: 4 arrested in Kota Belud
Published on: Saturday, June 07, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 07, 2025 By: R Gonzales Text Size: Some of the suspects arrested. KOTA BELUD: Four men aged between 20 and 50 were arrested in separate raids across several villages in the district for suspected involvement in the processing and sale of ketum juice. Kota Belud District Police Chief Supt Shahrudin Mat Husain said a team from the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Division of Kota Belud District Police Headquarters (IPD) conducted the raids from May 24 to June 5. Advertisement He said the arrests were made following intelligence gathering in Kampung Taun Gusi, Tampasuk 1, Kampung Suang Punggur, Kampung Pintasan and Kampung Ambong. 'The first arrest involved a man at a house in Kampung Pintasan at 11.30am, along with the seizure of eight bottles containing 1.5 litres of ketum juice. 'In the second raid at 3.25pm at a house in Kampung Taun Gusi, a man was arrested along with 24 bottles, each containing 1.5 litres of ketum juice,' he said. On June 5, a raid was conducted at a house in Kampung Ambong where another two men were arrested along with 10 bottles containing 1.5 litres of ketum juice. Advertisement 'Several items believed used to prepare the ketum juice were also seized. 'Further investigations revealed that the ketum juice was sold to customers at RM25 to RM30 per bottle,' he said. Shahrudin said the suspects are being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952, and if found guilty, they could be fined up to RM100,000, jailed for up to five years, or both, on conviction. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Daily Express
Four arrested in Kota Belud over ketum processing, sales
Published on: Friday, June 06, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jun 06, 2025 By: R Gonzales Text Size: The detained suspects. - Pic by PDRM KOTA BELUD: Four men aged between 20 and 50 were arrested in separate raids across several villages here for allegedly processing and selling ketum juice. District Police Chief Superintendent Shahrudin Mat Husain said the arrests were made by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of the Kota Belud District Police Headquarters between May 24 and June 5. Advertisement Raids were carried out in Kampung Taun Gusi, Tampasuk 1, Kampung Suang Punggur, Kampung Pintasan, and Kampung Ambong, based on intelligence gathered by police. A total of 42 bottles of ketum juice and several cooking tools believed to be used in the preparation of the substance were seized during the raids. The suspects are being investigated under Section 30(3) of the Poisons Act 1952, and police have urged the public to stop any involvement in ketum-related activities. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Spike in vape poisoning cases in Malaysia sparks concern over illicit substances
GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia is facing a new public health threat as a sharp rise in vape-related poisoning cases, believed to be linked to illicit substances, has been reported by the National Poison Centre (NPC) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) here. According to NPC, there has been a surge in poisoning cases linked to vape products suspected of containing dangerous synthetic drugs, particularly since 2022. USM NPC pharmacy officer (drug and poison information service) Mohd Fadhli Razali said it recorded 76 such cases between 2020 and 2024, with a significant increase in the past three years. "In 2022 alone, 17 cases were reported — a 65 per cent jump from the previous year. "The numbers rose to 27 cases (a 79 per cent increase) in 2023 and 26 cases (68 per cent) so far in 2024. "Disturbingly, 81 per cent of these cases involved products marketed as 'Magic Mushroom Vape', with teenagers aged 15 to 19 accounting for 41 per cent of the cases and young adults around 20 years old making up 53 per cent," he said today. Fadhli said patients exposed to these vape products often experienced severe symptoms such as seizures, fainting, vomiting, hallucinations, delusions, and even aggressive behaviour, sometimes after only one or two puffs. He said the severity of these reactions had raised concerns about the presence of synthetic cannabinoids and other toxic substances. "Subsequent testing by NPC confirmed that some vape liquids labelled as containing 'magic mushrooms' were actually laced with powerful synthetic drugs capable of causing life-threatening reactions. "These findings underscore the ease with which vape products can be tampered with and misused, especially through unregulated online sales targeting youth," he said. Fadhli called for stronger enforcement of the Poisons Act 1952 and voiced support for state-level bans on vape sales and use. He said several states had either enacted or were planning such bans, a move NPC believes is essential to protect young Malaysians from the growing threat of drug abuse disguised in vaping products. "This is no longer an isolated issue. "It has become a public health crisis. "We urge all state governments to unite in implementing a comprehensive ban on vape sales to stop the spread of these dangerous substances," he said. Fadhli said that immediate, coordinated action was needed to address the alarming trend and safeguard the future of Malaysia's youth. It was recently reported that illicit vape liquids containing synthetic drugs, including a psychoactive substance known as 'Magic Mushroom', were being sold for as little as RM1 per drop and are fast gaining popularity among school students, TV3's Buletin Utama reported. A 17-year-old teenager, who identified himself only as Zul, revealed that he became addicted to the substance at age 14, a year after he began vaping at 13. Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan had also warned that vape liquids were easily manipulated with illicit substances and pose serious health risks. He said there were 24 cases of vape-related drug incidents recorded in Selangor last year, while 17 cases had been reported this year up to last month.
New Straits Times
02-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Youngsters dripping magic mushroom extract on cigarettes
KUALA LUMPUR: Magic mushroom extracts are now being consumed not only through vape liquids but also by applying them directly to cigarette tobacco, Buletin Utama reported. Malaysian Substance Abuse Council (Masac) secretary-general Raja Azizan Suhaimi said the trend marks a troubling shift in drug habits, with youths dripping the psychoactive liquid onto cigarettes, complicating enforcement efforts. "They're no longer just using vapes. Some are dripping these liquids onto cigarettes," he said. Raja Azizan said enforcement is futile if authorities focus solely on vape devices and ignore the contents sold openly in shops. He said Masac had received complaints from parents about legal loopholes, particularly due to gaps in the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and the Poisons Act 1952. "Even if arrests are made, it's pointless because their urine tests come back negative. As long as the substances are not officially gazetted, they won't be detected by test strips," he said. Raja Azizan warned that the enforcement gap hinders legal action, as current test kits detect only substances listed under Health Ministry schedules. According to police data, a total of 87 new psychoactive substances were listed under Acts 234 and 366 between 2015 and 2024, 43 under the Dangerous Drugs Act and 44 under the Poisons Act. However, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has identified more than 1,245 such substances globally. Federal Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department deputy director Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zaki Ashar said they are hoping that all these dangerous chemicals can be registered. "Once registered, we can test for them in urine and blood, making enforcement more effective," he said. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is being urged to play a stronger role in regulating vape liquids currently sold in the market, especially to prevent the abuse of such products by drug syndicates. However, the Malaysian Vape Chamber of Commerce (MVCC) secretary-general Ridhwan Rosli cautioned against generalising the issue and placing blanket blame on the vape industry. "Just because some have abused vapes by mixing in drugs, it doesn't mean everyone is doing the same. "For the majority, electronic cigarettes are an alternative to tobacco. Abuse involving children must certainly be addressed, but it's heartbreaking when all vape users are perceived as drug addicts," the group added. For the record, the vape industry was estimated to be worth over RM3.48 billion in 2023, involving more than 7,500 premises and over 31,500 workers.
The Star
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Varying approaches to enforcement against vape shops in Selangor
LOCAL councils in Selangor are taking different approaches in dealing with vape-related businesses, ahead of the state's decision on a possible ban. Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) said no compounds or fines were issued against vape shop operators since liquid nicotine was removed from Poisons Act 1952 in March 2023. Mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said since liquid nicotine was no longer listed under the Act, MBPJ did not issue compounds because it was not covered under any specific local council by-law. Mohd Fauzi says MBSA has not issued any licences to vape shops. 'If vape shops are compounded, it is usually due to operating without a valid business licence.' He added that enforcement and seizure of vape liquids fell under the jurisdiction of the Health Ministry. Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) said it had not issued any licences to vape shops. Its mayor Datuk Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim said premises operating without a licence should be subject to enforcement. 'There is still some ambiguity in terms of enforcement,' he said when met during MBSA's full board meeting. 'However, we will treat businesses operating as electronic stores but selling vape-related products as vape shops.' Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), in a statement to StarMetro, said vape shops that applied for licences were registered under the category of selling electronic equipment, as stated on their business licence. On May 27, Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) deputy president Muhamad Shah Osmin announced that premises owners were given 14 days to remove all vape-related advertisements. The directive was issued in line with a statewide order for local councils in Selangor to seize vape advertisements, including digital and LED billboards. According to Muhamad Shah, a recent inventory found 31 premises selling vape products in Sepang. 'Failure to comply will result in enforcement action, including the seizure of advertisement materials and legal proceedings,' he said. Mohamad Zahri says vape shops are usually compounded for operating without a business licence. Klang Royal City Council (MBDK) found 45 premises still advertising vape products as of May. Mayor Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain confirmed that MBDK had not issued any licences to vape-related businesses this year. 'Strict action will be taken against operators who continue to defy the directive,' he said. Last month, state public health and environment committee chairman Jamaliah Jamaluddin said all local authorities in Selangor had been instructed to seize and confiscate advertisements related to electronic cigarette products in the state. She said this action was in line with the provisions of the Control of Tobacco Product for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852), which explicitly prohibits any form of advertising, promotion and sponsorship related to electronic smoking products.' On May 26, at a Putrajaya event, Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state government would decide whether to implement a full ban on the sale of vape and e-cigarette devices soon.
