By Lee Shi-Ian

SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA - Local syndicates are believed to be supplying Acehnese traders in Kuala Lumpur illegal sex enhancement products which are then sold to Indonesian workers here.

A Health Ministry source recently disclosed that the main chemical in the illegal sexual enhancement drugs sold by the traders was hydroxyhomosildenafil, an analogue of Viagra.

"Such analogues are difficult to detect through ordinary laboratory tests and this is the first time enforcement officers have encountered drugs with this particular type of chemical.

"The adverse effects of this chemical are largely unknown and unpredictable. Consumers who buy these products are putting their lives at risk," said the source.

The ministry began investigations several months ago after receiving a tip-off that the drugs were being sold in the form of sweets and candies. The syndicates are believed to have claimed that the sweets contained herbal ginseng and cordyceps fungi.

"The producers of the deadly sweets claimed their products had were imported from Taiwan when it was actually manufactured locally," the source disclosed.

The syndicates are said to be supplying the sweets to Acehnese traders operating grocery, convenience and traditional medicine shops in Kuala Lumpur. The syndicates are said to offer high commissions to the traders.

"More than 100 Health Ministry enforcement officers recently participated in a massive operation against 45 business outlets operated by Aceh nationals. Thousands of packets and boxes of the deadly sweets worth RM15,000 (S$6154.50) were seized in the raids.

"The sweets are sold for RM6 a piece or RM60 per box. The syndicates claimed their products had been given a clean bill of health by Taiwanese authorities.

"They claimed that as the products were produced with quality Chinese herbs, including cordyceps and ginseng, they had been approved by Taiwan authorities."

However, tests at the Chemistry Department for tests showed that the sweets were in fact hazardous to humans.