S’pore man, 27, charged for alleged trafficking of Kpods & unlicensed moneylending activities

A 27-year-old man was arrested for allegedly trafficking etomidate vaporiser pods (Kpods) and being involved in unlicensed moneylending activities.

Chan Zhi Hao Felix was charged on Aug. 20 under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA).

According to The Straits Times, Chan also faces a charge linked to alleged unlicensed moneylending activities under the Moneylenders Act 2008.

Raid

On Aug. 12, Chan was arrested in his rental unit in Marsiling during an operation that targeted members of an unlicensed moneylending syndicate.

Police uncovered more than 300 vaporisers and related components during a search of his unit.

Health Sciences Authority (HSA) officers were alerted and took over the seized items.

HSA subsequently confirmed that 56 vaporisers, 247 vaporiser pods and a vaporiser battery were seized.

Vaped

Chan tested positive for etomidate in an instant urine test and admitted that he had vaped etomidate the night before his arrest.

He was remanded for a week.

Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contain etomidate.

Some of the vaporisers and pods seized were apparently intended for Chan’s personal consumption.

The majority of the seized items were allegedly intended for supply.

Investigations are ongoing.

The case has been adjourned to Oct. 1.

Penalties

Under the TVCA, etomidate and its analogues are listed as specified psychoactive substances in the schedule.

Convicted importers are liable to a jail term of three to 20 years and five to 15 strokes of the cane.

Convicted suppliers are liable to a jail term of two to 10 years and two to five strokes of the cane.