Malaysian man, girlfriend nabbed in Medan over drug-laced vapes

A Malaysian man, 22, and his Indonesian girlfriend, 35, were apprehended in Medan, Indonesia, for allegedly trafficking vape devices laced with drugs, according to Indonesian police. The duo was seized last week near a cluster of shops on Jalan Cemara, Percut Sei Tuan, in Deli Serdang. Police found 29 vape devices containing drugs stowed away in a backpack during the raid, as reported by Antara News.

Assistant Commissioner Rafli Yusuf Nugraha, head of Medan City Police Narcotics Investigation, detailed the arrest at a press conference in Medan on Tuesday. The suspects were apprehended after Medan authorities received intelligence regarding their alleged involvement in the distribution of vape devices containing drugs. Subsequent searches of the couple's rented home in Jalan PWS, Medan Petisah, uncovered an additional five vape devices suspected to contain drugs and RM15,000 in cash hidden in a safe, suspected proceeds from drug sales.

The investigation revealed that the Malaysian suspect had previously shipped 20 vape devices containing drugs from Malaysia in July, all sold with the assistance of his girlfriend, most of whom were her friends in Medan. Rafli suggested the Malaysian suspect concealed the devices among folded clothes before entering Indonesia, repeated the technique during a subsequent shipment, and brought 40 vape devices believed to contain drugs from Malaysia.

Urine tests conducted on both suspects returned positive for drugs. Indonesian authorities are now expanding their probe to trace the alleged suppliers and identify the broader distribution network active in Medan. Interpol has been alerted, and Rafli confirmed that Indonesian police will coordinate with Malaysian counterparts to identify those suspected to have supplied the drugs or masterminded the operation in Malaysia.

The case remains under development, with plans to coordinate with Malaysian police to arrest the masterminds behind the pair.