1,600 vapes found hidden under bonnet of car at Woodlands Checkpoint, M’sian driver arrested

32-year-old man arrested after vapes found in bonnet of his car at Woodlands Checkpoint

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has foiled yet another alleged attempt to smuggle e-vaporisers, or vapes, with the illegal devices found in a car at the Woodlands Checkpoint.

A total of more than 1,600 vapes were hidden under its bonnet, ICA said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (22 Sept).

Car directed for further checks at Woodlands Checkpoint

On 9 Sept, the Malaysia-registered car attempted to enter Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint, ICA said.

But its Search and Examination officers directed it to undergo further checks.

This was based on information received from ICA’s Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC).

Vapes uncovered under car bonnet

The inspection uncovered more than 1,600 vapes and related components. They were hidden under the car’s bonnet.

An ICA photo showed that they were placed on black plastic sheets atop the car engine.

The car driver, a 32-year-old Malaysian man, was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle vapes into Singapore.

The case was referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for further investigation.

Vape importers face jail & fine

In its post, ICA affirmed its mission as “Guardians of Our Borders” to facilitate trade and travel while keeping Singapore’s borders safe and secure.

According to the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA) — which was renamed from the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 — those caught importing vapes will face up to nine years in prison and a fine of up to S$300,000.

Suppliers may be jailed for up to six years and fined up to S$200,000.

Under the TVCA, etomidate and its analogues have been classified as Specified Psychoactive Substances (SPS), with penalties for offences involving such substances aligned with those under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973.

That means importers will face three to 20 years’ jail and five to 15 strokes of the cane, while suppliers face two to 10 years’ jail and two to five strokes of the cane.

Also read: 900 vapes & 9,000 pods found in M’sia-registered lorry at Tuas Checkpoint, driver arrested

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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.