Kuala lumpur: Police confirmed that no Malaysian citizens have been arrested for fentanyl abuse so far, following the discovery and massive seizure of the synthetic opioid here last August.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (JSJN) director Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said police have also not received any reports linking Malaysian citizens to the banned substance, dubbed the ‘zombie drug’. He mentioned that investigations suggest the suspects involved are part of an international syndicate attempting to bring fentanyl into the country via containers through a port in Selangor.

“So far, no new arrests have been made in relation to the case. Police also believe that the attempt to bring in the synthetic drug was the syndicate’s initial attempt to introduce fentanyl to the local market,” he stated during a press conference at the Selangor Police Headquarters (IPK).

Hussein highlighted that fentanyl is a dangerous synthetic drug, 50 times more powerful than heroin, which has resulted in numerous deaths abroad. The police remain vigilant against any efforts to bring this substance into Malaysia.

On September 23, Hussein disclosed that police had successfully dismantled an international drug trafficking syndicate, seizing over 1,000 kilograms of fentanyl and other drugs valued at RM32.14 million in two raids conducted in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Selangor on August 19 and 23. The operation led to the arrest of four local men and four foreigners, including two men and two women, aged between 19 and 55.

According to Hussein, fentanyl is processed into liquid and powder forms before entering the market. The powder is made into pills, while the liquid is used to lace mixtures for electronic cigarettes (vapes).