S'pore man, 23, allegedly trafficked etomidate vape pods, 2 vapes & 55 pods found at home

A 23-year-old man, Dean Daniel Ong, was charged on Jul. 31 with allegedly trafficking vaporiser pods containing etomidate.

Acted on a tip-off

In a press release, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said its officers conducted an enforcement operation at the man's Hougang residence on Jul. 30 after acting on a tip-off.

During the operation, officers seized two vaporisers and 55 vaporiser pods.

Laboratory tests later confirmed that the pods contained etomidate.

Investigations are ongoing.

Case adjourned

According to HSA, the man was remanded for a week to assist with further investigations.

The case was mentioned again in court on Aug. 7 and adjourned to Sep. 18.

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

Under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA), etomidate and its analogues are classified as Specified Psychoactive Substances (SPS).

Those convicted of importing such substances face between three and 20 years' imprisonment, as well as five to 15 strokes of the cane.

Those convicted of supplying them face between two and 10 years' jail, and between two and five strokes of the cane.