KUALA LUMPUR: Drug syndicates are increasingly using social media platforms, messaging applications and courier services to traffic drugs, especially fentanyl, one of the world’s most potent synthetic opioids.
Often referred to as the “zombie drug”, fentanyl is known for its devastating effects, with users sometimes left in a prolonged, zombie-like stupor.
“Fake social media accounts, disappearing messages and invite-only groups (on Facebook and WhatsApp) are new modus operandi used by syndicates to market the drug before shifting transactions to messaging apps and courier services.
“The syndicates are also taking advantage of e-commerce platforms and e-wallet systems to conceal their activities.
“Cashless payments, temporary accounts and minimal identity verification make it difficult to trace the syndicates,” Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said in an interview recently.
The Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director said traffickers had adapted their tactics by disguising fentanyl, or its variant furanyl fentanyl, into vape liquids, allowing the substance to be hidden among ordinary nicotine products.
“The vapex` form is easier to smuggle, harder to detect and more readily accepted in the local market, especially among vape users,” he said.
To stem the menace, Comm Hussein said police are beefing up efforts to curb the smuggling of such drugs into the country.
“We are strengthening cooperation with international enforcement agencies, including Interpol, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Australian Federal Police for intelligence sharing and cross-border operations,” he said.
He warned traffickers against attempting to turn Malaysia into a hub for furanyl fentanyl distribution.
“Malaysia is not a destination for this. NCID will continue to intensify operations and take firm action without compromise against those involved, including tracking syndicate networks at the international level,” he said.
Between January and May this year, police seized 20.24kg of vape liquid suspected to contain the substance, with an estimated street value of RM3.03mil, and detained 10 people, Comm Hussein said.
“We are investigating further to discover how the drugs were brought into the country or whether the syndicates process it here,” he added.
Furanyl fentanyl is among the world’s most dangerous drugs and is estimated to be between 50 and 100 times more potent than morphine, Comm Hussein said.
“Even a very small dose can be fatal. The risk of overdose is extremely high, especially when users are unaware of the actual contents.
“We are not ruling out the possibility that the drugs were smuggled in from neighbouring countries,” he said.
Comm Hussein said some 400 vape cartridges filled with fentanyl-laced liquid were seized following raids at a workshop in Puchong and a house in Cheras in April.
He said the drugs were believed to have been smuggled in through the northern states.
Comm Hussein said the syndicate used the country to package vape liquid laced with furanyl fentanyl.
“We believe at that time, they were testing the market by distributing the vapes to their inner circle and entertainment outlets.
Comm Hussein said other police measures include integrated operations such as Ops Vape 1.0, carried out with the Health Ministry to inspect thousands of vape-related premises nationwide.
“In a raid mid-April, we seized nine white bottles containing liquid believed to be furanyl fentanyl, weighing 16.8kg in Taman Bukit Cheras, while checks at vape premises resulted in 155 vape cartridges laced with furanyl fentanyl being seized.
Last year, the NCID also thwarted an attempt to smuggle almost one tonne of fentanyl into Malaysia, valued at RM30.7mil.
