Three Singaporeans among four charged in Malaysia’s first cocaine vape syndicate case

Four men, three of them Singaporeans, have been charged with drug trafficking in Malaysia in connection with what authorities described as the country’s first known cocaine vape distribution syndicate.

The accused – Quek Kien Seng, 45; Tristan Chew Jin Zhong, 25; Ivan Tan Zhi Xuan, 31; and Malaysian national Kong Sien Mee, 51 – appeared before the magistrates’ court in Ampang on 26 June 2025.

Charges and penalties

According to state news agency Bernama, the men nodded as the charges were read. No plea was taken since the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

They are charged under Section 39B of Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for trafficking 9.42 litres of liquid cocaine contained in 4,958 vape pods.

If convicted, they face the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment. Should the death penalty not be imposed, they also face a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.

Scale of the operation

Police valued the haul at RM7.29 million (S$2.2 million). The arrests took place on 19 June during raids at a Kuala Lumpur hotel.

Federal police Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department acting director Mat Zani @ Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali said the syndicate had been operating since March 2024. Luxury condominiums were reportedly rented for packing the cocaine into vape pods, with the products intended for international distribution.

Legal representation and proceedings

The Singaporean defendants were represented by lawyer Ille Maryam Yusnawannie. Malaysian accused Kong did not have legal counsel present, Bernama reported.

The next court hearing has been scheduled for 8 September.

Context of Malaysia’s anti-drug laws

Malaysia enforces some of the world’s strictest drug laws. Trafficking more than set threshold amounts of controlled substances—including 15 grams of heroin, 50 grams of methamphetamine, or 200 grams of cannabis—can result in a mandatory death sentence.

This case marks the first time authorities have uncovered a cocaine distribution network using vape products, underscoring evolving methods of drug trafficking.