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Vietnamese authorities have dismantled a sophisticated operation distributing vapes laced with etomidate, an illegal anaesthetic. The crackdown netted 49 arrests, including four foreigners, and 1,670 contaminated pods across Ho Chi Minh City.
Malaysia's Home Ministry is escalating efforts to combat surging synthetic drug trafficking, deploying advanced technology and launching nationwide operations as fentanyl and designer pills emerge as critical threats.
Malaysia recorded 141,817 synthetic drug abuse cases in 2024, with Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution warning that amphetamine-type stimulants now account for 70 per cent of all drug offences. Fentanyl has emerged as an alarming new threat.
Malaysia has recorded 402 vape seizures containing dangerous synthetic drugs, prompting Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad to argue for a comprehensive ban. The government is exploring stricter regulations alongside public health campaigns.