Malaysian national arrested, police uncover drug-laced vape distribution in Medan

Medan (ANTARA) - The Narcotics Investigation Unit of Medan Metropolitan Police has arrested a 22-year-old Malaysian national with the initials FCB for alleged distribution of vape devices containing narcotics in Medan, North Sumatra. Police also arrested a woman with the initials N (35), a Medan resident who is FCB’s girlfriend, and seized 29 vape units suspected of containing drugs.

Head of the Narcotics Investigation Unit of Medan Metropolitan Police, AKBP Rafli Yusuf Nugraha, said in Medan on Tuesday that the pair were arrested on Wednesday evening (19 August) in a shophouse car park on Jalan Cemara, Percut Sei Tuan District, Deli Serdang Regency. “When we arrested them, both were inside a car. We found 24 vape devices containing drugs stored in a backpack,” he said.

The arrest stemmed from information received by personnel from Unit 2 of the Narcotics Investigation Unit regarding the activities of a man and woman suspected of distributing drug-laced vapes. Police then developed the investigation by searching the boarding house occupied by the pair on Jalan PWS, Medan Petisah District. From that search, police found five vape units suspected of containing drugs as well as 15,000 Malaysian ringgit in cash stored in a safe.

“In total, 29 vibrating pod units were seized. The Malaysian ringgit notes are suspected to be proceeds from drug sales,” he said. Rafli said FCB and N are a couple who initially met through social media. The two later met in Malaysia and allegedly agreed to distribute drug-laced vapes in Medan. “The buyers are generally friends of N in Medan,” he said.

In carrying out the operation, FCB allegedly concealed the vapes among folded clothing placed inside a suitcase. On a subsequent shipment, FCB allegedly brought 40 vape units from Malaysia using a similar method. Police suspect the 29 units seized were the remainder of the 40 units brought in the second shipment.

Rafli said police are still developing the case to uncover the supplier network and distribution channels for the vapes suspected of containing drugs. “We have conducted urine tests on both suspects and the results were positive for etomidate. This case is still under development. We will coordinate with the Royal Malaysia Police to arrest the bosses of the two perpetrators,” Rafli said.