HSA Seizes S$369,150 Worth of E-Vaporisers and Related Accessories in Largest Haul to Date

There’s many things that’s great as a record. A record timing, a record price, a record score is something to celebrate!

A record haul of… e-vaporisers? Not so much.

Last Thursday (18 Mar), the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) seized a total of 1,157 e-vaporisers and 25,345 assorted components in the operation.

According to TODAYOnline, the value of all the items would’ve been about S$369,150.

This is the largest haul by the HSA to date.

HSA officers received a tip-off that there were several consignments containing e-vaporiser items waiting to be collected from a storage facility in Tuas. The two suspects were arrested by the police when they came to collect the illegal goods.

A third man, who peddled these items, was also arrested when HSA officers raided his home at Serangoon North Avenue 1.

They also found two knuckledusters and a push dagger in the third suspect’s residence. The police were called in and the 24-year-old man is currently being investigated for allegedly possessing scheduled weapons.

HSA has stated that they “would like to remind the public that the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act prohibits the import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of harmful or imitation tobacco products”.

For instance, shisha tobacco, smokeless tobacco, chewing tobacco such as Gutkha, Khaini and Zarda, e-vaporisers and their accessories are prohibited, according to CNA.

Those found with such products in possession could face a fine of up to S$10,000, a jail term of up to six months or both for their first offence. Repeat offenders may be fined up to S$20,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.

In addition, it is also illegal to be in possession of a scheduled weapon. First-time offenders may face up to five years’ jail and at least six strokes of the cane.

Singapore’s Largest Drug Haul in 14 Years

Sadly, this wasn’t the first terrible record after a terrible 2020.

On 18 Mar 2021, it was reported that Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) hit the jackpot and landed the largest drug haul in 14 years.

In a two-day operation that started on 16 Mar 2021, CNB officers seized drugs estimated to be worthed nearly S$1.7 million from multiple locations. The amount of drugs seized could feed over 10,000 drug abusers for an entire week.

Officers arrested three Singaporean men aged between 27 and 33 years old for suspected drug offences.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, offenders caught smuggling more than 500g of cannabis into Singapore illegally can be given the death penalty.

Image: Hazem.m.kamal / Shutterstock.com (Image is for illustration purposes)