A total of 38 individuals were detained following a National Anti-Drug Agency (Nada) operation at an entertainment centre here early today after urine tests returned positive for methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and ketamine.
Nada deputy director-general (operations) Zainuddin Abdullah said the arrests were made during Op Pusat Hiburan, which began at about 12.30am, with suspects identified through on-site urine screening.
Those detained comprised 30 men and eight women, all Malaysians aged between 22 and 61. Zainuddin said the premises was among the largest entertainment outlets in the city, housing 40 private rooms priced between RM2,000 and RM8,000 each, with the capacity to accommodate up to 300 patrons at one time.
During the raid, Nada officers also uncovered several packets of drinks suspected to be mixed with methamphetamine, MDMA and ketamine. Zainuddin warned that the cocktail posed serious health risks, explaining that MDMA acts as a stimulant while ketamine can cause hallucinations.
“The combination can trigger an extremely rapid heartbeat and significantly increases the risk of overdose. Ketamine was also found separately within the premises,” he said at a press conference today.
He added that each packet of drug-laced juice was estimated to cost about RM600, while ketamine was valued at roughly RM180 per gram. Such findings, he stressed, underscored the growing trend of drugs being disguised in beverages at entertainment outlets.
Zainuddin said Nada would continue carrying out similar operations, with a focus on high-risk entertainment centres, as part of efforts to curb drug abuse in nightlife settings. He noted that the agency prioritised early treatment and rehabilitation, either at recovery centres or within the community, to prevent users from becoming hardcore addicts.
Based on observations and interviews, he said most patrons present during the raid were locals from various ethnic backgrounds seeking entertainment, although several foreign nationals, including Thais, were also spotted at the venue.
Nada also urged the public to steer clear of entertainment centres known for drug-related activities, emphasising that while entertainment is allowed, it must be conducted in a drug-free environment. Parents and the wider community were likewise reminded to remain vigilant about youths being exposed to high-risk entertainment activities.
“All individuals detained have been brought to Nada Dang Wangi for documentation and further action,” Zainuddin said.
