On July 17, 2025, 41-year-old Singaporean Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was officially charged in court for allegedly producing and selling drug-laced electronic vaporiser pods known as Kpods. Authorities said he had been manufacturing these at his home in Yishun with the intention of distributing them. This case has been labelled the first of its kind in Singapore, and has since raised major concerns about the increasing abuse of vaping products containing harmful substances.
According to court documents, Akil was found in possession of large quantities of vape-related components during a raid on December 11, 2024, at a Housing Board flat located at Block 269B Yishun Street 22. Investigators discovered 569 empty pod casings, 534 pod components, 1,485 pod covers, and 100 loose e-vaporiser pods. These items formed the basis for five charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.
The pods were reportedly infused with etomidate a drug typically used in hospitals as a sedative for medical procedures. Etomidate is meant to be injected under strict clinical supervision and is classified as a poison in Singapore. Inhaling it through vaping methods is not only illegal but highly dangerous, with potential side effects including breathing difficulty, seizures, psychosis, and severe bodily harm.
Beyond the five tobacco-related charges, Akil also faces two additional charges under the Poisons Act. He allegedly sold 100 e-vaporiser pods outside the same Yishun flat after midnight on December 11, 2024. The pods, containing 150ml of liquid, tested positive for etomidate. Later that same morning, around 5:30am, he was reportedly found with 26.4 grams of white powder, which also contained the same drug.
Authorities have described this incident as deeply troubling. Etomidate is not intended for casual or recreational use and can cause spasms, loss of consciousness, and long-term psychological damage if abused. The fact that these substances were being distributed through illegal vape products has raised alarm bells at a national level.
On July 12, 2025, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a joint statement, highlighting that drug-laced vape products like Kpods pose a growing public health threat. The ministries stressed that action is being considered to tighten existing laws around vaping, especially in light of recent seizures involving vapes containing controlled substances.
The situation has sparked a wave of public concern. Several individuals have come forward to share personal accounts of how these Kpods have caused irreversible damage to families, health, and lives. There is now a push for more awareness, stricter enforcement, and stronger legal deterrents.
In addition to the charges linked to the vape operation, Akil is also facing one charge under the Passports Act. On January 20, 2025, he allegedly provided false information to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority while applying for a new passport. He claimed that he had lost his bag, which contained his NRIC and passport, at a coffee shop and that the documents were never returned. This was later found to be untrue.
Akil has been in remand since June 20, 2025. He appeared in court via video link and indicated his intention to plead guilty to all charges. When questioned, he declined to hire legal counsel and stated, “I don’t want to waste the court’s time.”
He is expected to enter his plea on July 23, 2025.
Members of the public who are aware of illegal vaping activities are encouraged to report them by contacting the Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 during working hours.
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