A 36-year-old man has been charged over alleged trafficking after authorities seized 12,415 vape pods containing etomidate from a car entering Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said on Friday, 4 September, that the pods had an estimated street value of S$870,000.
It is the largest seizure of etomidate vape pods in Singapore so far, according to HSA.
The man, Lee Chiun Yong, was one of five men aged between 24 and 37 who were charged between 25 and 28 August over alleged trafficking of etomidate vape pods.
Three Black Bags Found in Car Boot
According to HSA, Lee was driving into Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint on 23 August when Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officers directed him for enhanced checks.
Officers found three black bags in the rear boot containing packets of vape pods and alerted HSA.
A total of 12,415 pods were seized. Laboratory tests later confirmed that they contained etomidate.
HSA said the pods were allegedly meant for supply.
Lee was charged on 25 August and remanded for a week to assist with further investigations. His case was mentioned again on 1 September and has been adjourned to 13 October.
Investigations are ongoing.
Another 3,240 Pods Seized at Tuas Checkpoint
A separate case involved 30-year-old Kalaiarasu Krishinan.
On 25 August, he was driving into Singapore through Tuas Checkpoint when ICA officers and officers from the Singapore Police Force's K-9 Unit directed him for enhanced checks during a joint operation.
Vape pods were found inside two plastic bags.
HSA subsequently seized 3,240 pods, which laboratory tests confirmed contained etomidate. The pods were also allegedly intended for supply.
Kalaiarasu was charged on 27 August. His case has been adjourned to 13 October.
Three More Men Charged After Geylang and Bedok Reservoir Operations
The other three men were caught in two enforcement operations on 27 August.
During a joint operation involving the police, Central Narcotics Bureau and HSA in Geylang, 26-year-old Jerome Wee Chuan Kai was found with cough syrup, pills and 12 vape pods.
Another man, 37-year-old Tan Si Yuan, was found with cough syrup, pills and 30 pods.
According to HSA, Tan later led officers to a condominium unit where another 171 vaporisers and 185 vape pods were uncovered.
Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contained etomidate. Investigations into the alleged supply of the cough syrup and pills are continuing.
Wee and Tan's cases have been adjourned to 12 October.
Separately, HSA officers acted on a tip-off and searched the Bedok Reservoir-area home of 24-year-old Tiong Hin Yang.
They seized two vaporisers and 53 vape pods. HSA said most of the pods were believed to have been meant for supply, while laboratory testing confirmed that they contained etomidate.
Tiong's case has been adjourned to 13 October.
Importers Can Face Up to 20 Years in Jail
Under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act, etomidate and its analogues are listed as specified psychoactive substances.
HSA said a person convicted of importing them can face between three and 20 years' jail and five to 15 strokes of the cane.
Those convicted of supplying them can face between two and 10 years' jail and two to five strokes of the cane.
The charges against the five men have not been resolved by the courts.
