Sabah cops monitor possible use of ‘weed-vapes’

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah police are keeping an eye on suspected weed-laced e-cigarette (vape) products that are said to have entered local markets here.

State Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun did not reveal the extent of their investigations on this matter but urged the public to inform the police if anyone knew anything.

“If there is information, please share with us,” he said in a text message when asked about this, Thursday (Oct 12).

Recently, there has been talk that smokers have been using weed-laced vaping products, especially in pubs and karaoke clubhouses.

It is said that these “weed-vapes” look similar to the usual ones but are not refillable and are meant to be disposed of once finished.

The products are believed to have been brought in from neighbouring countries and there has yet to be any report of them being manufactured locally.

Earlier this month, Penampang cops arrested four local men on suspicion of distributing vape liquid laced with drugs in Penampang and Putatan near here.

The suspects, aged 22 to 31, were detained during three raids on Oct 3 and Oct 4.

Penampang OCPD Supt Sammy Newton said police also seized 31 bottles containing ganja-laced vape liquid worth some RM5,600 in the operations.

He said all four suspects tested positive for ganja with one of them also found to have six previous drug-related offences.