Drug-laced coffee packets meant for distribution by syndicate

KLANG: The durian white coffee packets, which were laced with drugs, were meant for distribution by a syndicate at local night clubs.
Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department deputy director DCP Datuk Kang Chez Chiang said police are in the midst of identifying the syndicate.
"Further tests conducted on the samples showed the coffee mixture packet had been opened and resealed. Also, the resealed packet was heavier by 10gm compared with the original weight.
"We believe the drug-laced coffee powder was meant for entertainment outlets in Penang but the syndicate discarded it along the road at Taman Ria, Air Itam in Penang possibly fearing police action," he said when met at South Klang district police headquarters today.
Kang added police believe members of the public who picked up the coffee packets would not know that the instant durian coffee mixture was laced with drugs.
"The public would not know the difference whether it was a new packet or a re-sealed packet. We are waiting for the results from the Chemistry Department.
"The coffee powder could have been mixed with ketamine, syabu or ecstasy. Maybe the syndicate set a price for each mixture. If a single type of drug mixed with coffee powder could cost RM200, two types of drugs mixture could cost RM300 and so on," he said, adding that police have ascertained the drug-laced drinks have no link to the New Psychoactive Substances.
"The durian coffee incident is confined to Penang so far," he said, adding that police do not know yet how much drugs were mixed in to the drinks.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said investigations into the drug-laced durian white coffee mixture by the Health Ministry's Safety Department is expected to be finalised by end of next week.
He said investigations at the manufacturing processing premises and coffee batches on the shelves, are ongoing.
"As I've said in Penang yesterday, there is a consistency – none of those who had taken this coffee bought it in a shop. It's either given by individuals or taken from garbage cans, so there's something fishy here, which is why we've asked the police to investigate it thoroughly whether there's an element of crime," he added.