KUALA LUMPUR: Fentanyl could rapidly reshape the local drug landscape and strain an already stretched healthcare system if syndicates penetrate the market, a criminologist warned.

Datuk Dr P. Sundramoorthy said the risk of the “zombie drug”, which has caused overdose crises in countries like the United States, should not be understated due to its potency and ease of concealment.

“Fentanyl’s fast-acting nature can also accelerate addiction, placing greater strain on healthcare and rehabilitation systems.

“Experiences in countries like the United States show how quickly such crises can escalate. Once established, these markets become deeply embedded and far harder to dismantle,” he told the New Straits Times.

Sundramoorthy said this was why the police’s recent move to cripple a syndicate bringing in fentanyl in vape pods was significant.

“This demonstrates strong intelligence capabilities and operational readiness. Proactive enforcement of this nature is critical in preventing more dangerous substances from entering the market,” he said.

The syndicate behind the fentanyl-laced vape pods is believed to have links to drug networks in the Golden Triangle. Preliminary investigations indicate the group intended to test the market in Malaysian nightclubs.

“Its emergence in Malaysia must be taken seriously before it gains a foothold. By disguising the drug’s true potency (in vape pods) and lowering perceived risk, traffickers are effectively widening their market while increasing the potential for harm,” he said.

Sundramoorthy said fentanyl’s high potency and low production cost made it extremely lucrative. Even small inroads into the local market could yield substantial profits for syndicates.

“If demand takes hold, Malaysia could face a more complex and entrenched drug problem with far greater public health consequences,” he said.

Complicating matters is the use of decentralised drop-and-collect methods for trafficking from the Golden Triangle.

“This reduces direct contact between actors, complicates surveillance and shields higher-level organisers from detection. This is a clear indication of how organised crime is evolving,” he said.

Sundramoorthy said the government must prioritise and adequately fund narcotics enforcement to ensure agencies are equipped with the technology and expertise needed to counter sophisticated networks.

“The window for pre-emptive intervention is narrow, and failure to act decisively may allow a highly dangerous substance to gain a foothold with consequences that are far harder to reverse,” he said.

This article first appeared on NST.