890 vapes found in M'sia van transporting air-con parts at Woodlands Checkpoint

890 vapes and 6,700 related components were found in a Malaysia-registered van transporting air-conditioning equipment and servicing parts at Woodlands Checkpoint after checks by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Aug. 27.

The driver was placed under arrest, and the case has been referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for further investigation.

Vapes found in air-con parts

In an Aug. 28 Facebook post, ICA shared that its officers profiled the van for further checks at Woodlands Checkpoint on Aug. 27 at around 11am.

They then detected vapes hidden in boxes within the vehicle during preliminary checks.

Upon further inspection, ICA officers found additional vapes and related components concealed inside an air-conditioning unit and its parts.

Vapes and related components were later found in various vehicle compartments.

The Police K-9 unit was activated to assist in the search.

In total, more than 890 vapes and 6,700 related components were found in the van.

The Malaysian driver was arrested, and the case has been referred to HSA for further investigation, ICA wrote in the post.

Between April and June 2025, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) intensified targeting and profiling efforts at Singapore's checkpoints alongside joint operations with HSA.

19 large-scale smuggling cases were detected, and around 90,000 vapes and related products were seized.

Offenders involved in the importation of prohibited tobacco products into Singapore face fines, while transport companies and drivers may face possible prosecution, the HSA said in an August 26 press release.

Foreigners convicted of offences in Singapore will be deported after serving their sentences and barred from re-entering Singapore.

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Top image via ICA