8 S'poreans arrested & over 400 Kpods seized in Telok Blangah, Hougang, & Boon Lay raids on Sep. 10

Eight Singaporeans were arrested during an islandwide operation targeting a suspected etomidate syndicate on Sep. 10.

According to a news release by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Sep. 11, one woman and seven men, aged between 18 and 32, were nabbed in simultaneous raids, with CNB officers seizing more than 400 e-vaporiser pods believed to contain etomidate.

Cash, including S$20,818, 498 yuan (S$90), and RM5,800 (S$1,769), was also found.

Arrested across Telok Blangah, Hougang and Boon Lay

The operation began in the early evening when CNB officers moved in on two men, aged 26 and 28, at the void deck of a Telok Blangah Rise block.

Both resisted arrest and had to be subdued.

Officers also found 73 vape pods suspected to contain etomidate in their possession.

Investigations indicated that the pair were in the midst of a transaction.

Follow-up raids at a unit in the same block led to the arrest of another 26-year-old man inside the flat, and a 23-year-old man outside the unit.

A search of the premises uncovered 327 additional vape pods.

Later that evening, CNB officers arrested four more individuals in separate operations.

Two men, aged 29 and 32, were arrested at Hougang Avenue 9, where more vape products were seized from their home.

Cash including S$20,818, RMB498 (S$90) and MYR5,800 (S$1,769) were also found at the scene.

Another man, 23, was arrested in his Boon Lay Drive residence with several pods.

An 18-year-old woman linked to him was later arrested outside the unit carrying one pod.

She had allegedly planned to collect etomidate vapes from the man.

Investigations are ongoing

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ng Khai Song, Director of Intelligence Division, said: the operation is CNB's "first major operation" against a syndicate trafficking in etomidate e-vaporisers.

He added that the bureau will continue to monitor and work closely with relevant agencies to support the government's response against etomidate.

Investigations into the syndicate are ongoing.

Etomidate, a drug used in medical settings for anaesthesia, is not approved for recreational use and can be dangerous if abused.

Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, the possession, use or purchase of e-vaporisers carries a maximum fine of S$2,000.

It is an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components.

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

Top photos by CNB