Man, 23, gets rental vehicle searched at Woodlands Checkpoint, charged for trafficking vapes

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has charged a 23-year-old man for allegedly trafficking etomidate e-vaporiser pods.

Basil Wang Zhuang Zhen was charged on Dec. 4, 2025, according to a HSA press release.

Found in rental vehicle

On Dec. 2 evening, a disposable e-vaporiser was found in the accused's rental vehicle at Woodlands Checkpoint upon arrival.

HSA officers were then activated onsite.

Operation

This led to an enforcement operation at his residence in the early morning of Dec. 3, 2025.

During the operation, HSA officers found and seized 33 e-vaporisers and pods, 104 bottles of cough syrup, prescription medicines including over 3,500 tablets of diazepam and codeine phosphate.

Of the items seized, 28 e-vaporiser pods, the 104 bottles of cough syrup and all the tablets were meant for sale.

Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contained etomidate.

Investigations are ongoing.

Charges for the supply of cough syrup and prescription medicines are also pending for further investigation.

Penalties

Importers, sellers and distributors of etomidate e-vaporisers now face stiffer penalties.

This includes three to 20 years' jail and five to 15 strokes of the cane for importers.

It also includes two to 10 years' jail and two to five strokes of the cane for sellers and distributors.

Offenders convicted of importing, manufacturing and/ or supplying of illegal health products are liable to up to two years' jail and/ or a fine of up to S$50,000.

The case has been adjourned to Jan. 14, 2026.

Top photos via HSA