S'pore man, 21, allegedly trafficked etomidate vape pods, found with 21 vapes & 116 pods in Kovan residence

A 21-year-old man has been charged in court on Apr. 20 for allegedly trafficking etomidate vaporiser pods.

Brandon Loke Jo Kit was caught after the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) officers conducted an enforcement operation at his residence on Apr. 19.

This came after reports of alleged sales of etomidate vaporisers in the vicinity of the Kovan area, HSA said in a press release.

21 vaporiser and 116 pods

During the search of the unit, HSA officers seized 21 vaporisers and 116 pods, and cash that he allegedly gained through the sales of these illegal products.

Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contained etomidate.

Investigations are ongoing.

The case has been adjourned to May 18, 2026.

Vaporiser and etomidate trafficking offences

HSA said it takes a serious view of vaporiser and etomidate trafficking offences.

Under the current enhanced penalties framework that took effect on Sep. 1, 2025, importers, sellers and distributors of etomidate vaporisers face stiffer penalties.

These include three to 20 years’ imprisonment and five to 15 strokes of the cane for importers, and two to 10 years’ imprisonment and two to five strokes of the cane for sellers and distributors.

From May 1, 2026, the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA) will come into force, HSA said.

Under TVCA, etomidate and its analogues will be listed as Specified Psychoactive Substances (SPS), which will be specified in a new Schedule.

The penalties related to vaporisers containing SPS are aligned with the relevant penalties in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 under the current enforcement framework.

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