5 men accused of trafficking Kpods in 4 separate cases across 5 days
Five men have been charged with trafficking e-vaporisers laced with etomidate, known as “Kpods”, in four separate cases over five days.
One of them was a driver who was caught trying to enter Singapore with 12,415 of the devices in his vehicle, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in a press release on Friday (4 Sept).
Vehicle directed for enhanced checks at Woodlands Checkpoint
The first case took place on 23 Aug, when a vehicle driven by 36-year-old Lee Chiun Yong arrived at Woodlands Checkpoint.
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers directed it to undergo enhanced checks and found three black bags in the rear boot.
Inside the bags were several packets of vape pods.
Source: Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
Kpods worth S$870K seized, largest haul so far
When HSA was alerted, it took over the investigations at the scene and seized a total of 12,415 pods, which were allegedly intended for supply.
After laboratory testing, they were confirmed to contain etomidate.
HSA estimated their street value to be about S$870,000, confirming that the haul of Kpods was its largest so far.
Source: Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
Investigations are ongoing.
36-year-old man charged with trafficking Kpods
Lee was charged in court on 25 Aug — two days after being caught — and remanded for a week to assist with further investigations.
His case was mentioned again in court on Tuesday (1 Sept).
It has now been adjourned to 13 Oct.
Vehicle directed for enhanced checks at Tuas Checkpoint
The next case was on 25 Aug, when 30-year-old Kalaiarasu Krishinan was driving into Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint.
At the time, ICA and the Singapore Police Force’s K-9 Unit were conducting a joint operation, and the officers directed him for enhanced checks.
They found vape pods in two plastic bags.
3,240 Kpods seized, allegedly intended for supply
When HSA was alerted, it seized a total of 3,240 pods, which were allegedly intended for supply.
Source: Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
After laboratory testing, they were confirmed to contain etomidate.
Investigations are ongoing.
Source: Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
30-year-old man charged with trafficking Kpods
Kalaiarasu was charged in court on 27 Aug — two days after being caught — and remanded for a week to assist with further investigations.
His case was mentioned again in court on Thursday (3 Sept).
It has now been adjourned to 13 Oct.
2 men nabbed in Geylang operation
On 27 Aug, HSA, SPF and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) conducted a joint operation in Geylang during which two men were caught.
26-year-old Jerome Wee Chuan Kai and 37-year-old Tan Si Yuan were both found with cough syrup and pills.
Source: Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
Wee had 12 vape pods in his possession, while Tan had 30 of them.
Tan led officers to a condominium unit, where 171 vapes and 185 vape pods were uncovered.
Source: Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
After laboratory testing, the pods were confirmed to contain etomidate.
Source: Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
Men aged 26 & 37 charged with trafficking Kpods
Both men were charged in court on 28 Aug and remanded for a week to assist with further investigations.
The case was mentioned again in court on Friday (4 Sept), then adjourned to 12 Oct.
Charges for allegedly supplying cough syrup and pills are pending as further investigations are conducted.
Man nabbed & Kpods found in Bedok Reservoir condo
Also on 27 Aug, HSA officers acted on a tip-off and conducted an enforcement operation at a residence in the Bedok Reservoir area.
There, 24-year-old Tiong Hin Yang was nabbed, with two vapes and 53 vape pods seized in the unit.
Source: Health Sciences Authority, Singapore
A majority of the devices are believed to be intended for supply, HSA said. Laboratory testing confirmed that the pods contained etomidate.
24-year-old man charged with trafficking Kpods
Tiong was charged in court on 28 Aug and remanded for a week to assist with further investigations.
The case was mentioned again in court on Friday (4 Sept).
It has now been adjourned to 13 Oct.
Men face up to 10 years’ jail and caning for Kpod trafficking
HSA said it takes “a serious view” of vape and Kpod trafficking offences.
Under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA) — which was renamed from the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 on 1 May — etomidate and its analogues are listed as Specified Psychoactive Substances.
This means those convicted of selling and distributing Kpods face between two and 10 years in prison and between two and five strokes of the cane.
Meanwhile, importers may be jailed for three to 20 years and receive five to 15 strokes of the cane.
HSA also professed to take “a serious stand” against illegal activities involving health products such as unregistered cough syrup and medicines.
Offenders convicted of importing, manufacturing and/or supplying such products may be jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to S$50,000.
Also read: 27-year-old man charged with trafficking Kpods after 247 were found in Marsiling flat
27-year-old man charged with trafficking Kpods after 247 were found in Marsiling flat
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Health Sciences Authority, Singapore.
