Latest news with #amphetamine
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Taiwanese chemists arrested in Brickfields condo drug lab raid, RM3.29m amphetamine vape liquid seized
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — Police arrested two Taiwanese men who were operating a laboratory for processing drug-laced vape liquid during a raid on a condominium in Brickfields, here last Wednesday, with a seizure of drugs worth RM3.29 million. Acting Director of the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) Bukit Aman, DCP Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali, said the raid at 10:30pm found 20 five-liter plastic containers (jelly cans) and six 0.5-liter plastic bottles containing amphetamine vape liquid. In addition, various equipment for processing drug-laced vape liquid was also found, such as a mixer, heating machine, weighing scale, sealing machine, three glass beakers, one plastic funnel, and 95 empty cartridges believed to be for filling the drug-laced vape liquid. 'Initial technical analysis found that this syndicate is believed to be processing vape liquid containing Amphetamine (Fluoroamphetamine, Paramethoxyamphetamine) which has psychoactive and toxic effects similar to ecstasy on its users. 'The adverse effects of consumption include seizures, liver failure, extreme body temperature, psychosis, brain damage, emotional disturbances, extreme addiction, and even sudden death due to heart attack or respiratory failure,' he said during a JSJN press conference at the Bukit Aman Police Headquarters, here today. Mohd Salahuddin said both suspects, aged 30 and 35, served as chemists and obtained the drug ingredients from China. He said that to ensure their drug-laced vape liquid processing activities were not detected, the syndicate used condominiums with complete security as a place to process and package the illicit substances. 'This premise was rented at RM4,100 per month, and it is believed that they change processing locations every three months, bringing in chemists from Taiwan and recruiting local workers to mislead the authorities. 'Both suspects also played a role in guarding the vape liquid processing site and delivering it to customers. They entered our country using a social visit pass and had entered the country twice, at the beginning of this year and early this month,' he said. He stated that the amphetamine drug-laced vape liquid was sold to the local market at RM180 per cartridge and internationally at around RM400 per cartridge. Meanwhile, he said that urine screening tests found both suspects negative for drugs but had past criminal records in their home country. 'We have checked the past records of both these suspects through our cooperation with the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) and the Criminal Investigation Bureau of Taiwan to trace their past records in their country and assist in the full investigation of this case. 'The results revealed that the first suspect had previously driven under the influence of alcohol and drugs, while the second suspect has various criminal records, including murder, drug trafficking, and firearms,' he said. The case is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, and action is also being taken under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988, with the seizure of a Honda AFS125 motorcycle belonging to the first suspect, valued at RM7,000. — Bernama
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Arab News
Saudi authorities thwart attempt to smuggle amphetamines in Riyadh
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's counter-narcotics authority has dismantled a major amphetamine trafficking operation, seizing 1.52 million pills hidden within a table shipment in Riyadh and apprehending four suspects linked to the scheme. The General Directorate of Narcotics Control executed the bust as part of broader Interior Ministry initiatives to disrupt drug networks threatening national security. Investigators tracked the contraband to recipients in both Riyadh and Eastern Province, culminating in the arrest of three Syrian expatriates and one Saudi national. Security authorities urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions. Reports can also be made to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email.
The National
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Saudi Arabia seizes 1.5 million Captagon pills hidden in tables
Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced the interception of 1.5 million Captagon pills in Riyadh hidden in a shipment of tables. The Ministry of Interior said the operation led to the arrest of three Syrians and one Saudi citizen. The shipment's country of origin was not disclosed. 'The General Directorate of Narcotics Control seized 1,520,000 tablets of the narcotic substance amphetamine hidden inside a shipment of tables in the Riyadh region,' a statement read. 'The intended recipients were arrested in the Riyadh and Eastern regions and include three Syrian nationals and one Saudi citizen." Security officials urged citizens and residents to report any information related to drug trafficking or distribution. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have stepped up efforts to combat the smuggling of Captagon, an amphetamine-like stimulant that has raised alarm across the region due to its widespread use. Syria was the region's primary producer of Captagon until the fall of former president Bashar Al Assad in December, although he had denied his government's involvement. The new administration has pledged to crack down on the production and trafficking of the drug. In 2021, it was estimated the Syrian government generated more than $5 billion from the Captagon trade. The drug is transported to some Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, leading to a string of high-profile seizures. In February, Saudi authorities arrested 15 state employees in connection with three criminal networks involved in drug trafficking. A Ministry of Interior official said a total of 19 people were detained in the Asir, Jazan and Eastern provinces. The groups were allegedly involved in smuggling drugs across the kingdom and laundering the proceeds. Those arrested included five Interior Ministry employees, seven from the Tax and Customs Authority and three from the Ministry of Defence. A month earlier, Saudi Arabia executed six Iranians convicted of drug smuggling, state news agency SPA reported, an act that prompted protests from the government in Tehran. In 2023, Saudi authorities launched a widely publicised anti-drugs campaign involving raids, arrests and public awareness drives.
The National
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Saudi Arabia seizes 1.5 million pills of Captagon hidden in tables
Saudi Arabia on Thursday announced the interception of 1.5 million Captagon pills in Riyadh hidden in a shipment of tables. The Ministry of Interior said the operation led to the arrest of three Syrians and one Saudi citizen. The shipment's country of origin was not disclosed. 'The General Directorate of Narcotics Control seized 1,520,000 tablets of the narcotic substance amphetamine hidden inside a shipment of tables in the Riyadh region,' a statement read. 'The intended recipients were arrested in the Riyadh and Eastern regions and include three Syrian nationals and one Saudi citizen." Security officials urged citizens and residents to report any information related to drug trafficking or distribution. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have stepped up efforts to combat the smuggling of Captagon, an amphetamine-like stimulant that has raised alarm across the region due to its widespread use. Syria was the region's primary producer of Captagon until the fall of former president Bashar Al Assad in December, although he had denied his government's involvement. The new administration has pledged to crack down on the production and trafficking of the drug. In 2021, it was estimated the Syrian government generated more than $5 billion from the Captagon trade. The drug is transported to some Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, leading to a string of high-profile seizures. In February, Saudi authorities arrested 15 state employees in connection with three criminal networks involved in drug trafficking. A Ministry of Interior official said a total of 19 people were detained in the Asir, Jazan and Eastern provinces. The groups were allegedly involved in smuggling drugs across the kingdom and laundering the proceeds. Those arrested included five Interior Ministry employees, seven from the Tax and Customs Authority and three from the Ministry of Defence. A month earlier, Saudi Arabia executed six Iranians convicted of drug smuggling, state news agency SPA reported, an act that prompted protests from the government in Tehran. In 2023, Saudi authorities launched a widely publicised anti-drugs campaign involving raids, arrests and public awareness drives.
