S'porean man, 25, allegedly tried to smuggle over 9,200 vapes worth S$51,000, declared goods as 'power bank'

On Sep. 17, 2025, officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Pasir Panjang Scanning Station detected over 9,200 vapes in an inbound cargo container that was targeted for enhanced checks.

The pods were concealed in a consignment declared as "Power Bank".

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

A joint operation by HSA and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore Police Force on Sep. 18 established the identity of a 25-year-old Singaporean man allegedly involved with the consignment.

He was subsequently arrested for his suspected involvement in the importation of the e-vaporiser pods.

In addition to the foiled attempt to smuggle vapes into Singapore, the man was found to be in possession of another 85 vapes and related components.

The total estimated street value of the seized e-vaporisers and the related components is more than S$51,000.

Any person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offence.

Image from SPF