Thousands of e-vaporisers, or vapes, and heat sticks have been uncovered in a suspected smuggling attempt, with the illegal devices found in a lorry at the Tuas Checkpoint.
They were found in a consignment declared as “cage assembly and electrical parts”, said the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in a Facebook post on Thursday (8 Oct).
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
On 26 Sept, the Malaysia-registered lorry was attempting to enter Singapore via the Tuas Checkpoint, ICA said.
But ICA Search and Examination officers directed it to undergo enhanced checks.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
During the inspection, 38,000 heat sticks and more than 12,600 vaporisers and related components were found to have been concealed within the consignment.
It was declared as “cage assembly and electrical parts”.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Heat sticks, also known as heat-not-burn (HNB) tobacco products, are battery-operated devices that heat tobacco so it produces an aerosol containing nicotine and other chemicals that can be inhaled through the mouth and taken into the body.
The lorry driver, a 26-year-old Malaysian man, was arrested in connection with the alleged attempt to smuggle the items into Singapore.
The case has been referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for further investigation.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
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.
Under 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.
Similar to vapes and nicotine pouches, the importation, distribution, sale, purchase, use and possession of HNB tobacco products are also prohibited under the TVCA.
Also read: 11,000 heat sticks & a vape found in car at Woodlands Checkpoint, driver declared 1 cigarette packet
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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.