A 22-year-old Singaporean man, Muhammad Sabriee Mohd Tahar, has been formally charged with possessing five vape pods containing etomidate, a substance regulated under the Poisons Act due to its serious health risks. The charges specify that three of the five pods were allegedly intended for sale.
On October 5, 2024, shortly after midnight, Sabriee was caught along Coleman Street with the vape pods and three additional vaporisers also believed to be for illegal sale. Etomidate, typically used in controlled clinical settings as an anaesthetic, is not approved for personal or recreational use. The chemical can induce dangerous side effects such as myoclonus (a form of muscle spasm), sluggishness, unsteadiness, and mental confusion. Experts warn of its abuse potential, especially when mixed into illicit vaping products.
In a broader clampdown, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently announced plans to intensify enforcement against such substances. Officers from MHA are being seconded to work with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) as part of a coordinated effort to monitor and act against etomidate-related offences. Furthermore, the government is moving towards listing etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which could soon bring about stricter penalties, including mandatory rehabilitation or even jail time for repeat or serious offenders.
However, Sabriee’s legal troubles don’t stop there. He faces 12 additional unrelated charges, primarily linked to computer misuse and fraudulent financial activity. In prior court proceedings, it was revealed that between September and October 2024, Sabriee allegedly accessed multiple automated teller machines (ATMs) using 13 bank cards that did not belong to him. These cards were reportedly fraudulently obtained, suggesting a potential link to a larger financial fraud scheme.
When confronted by authorities, Sabriee allegedly attempted to obstruct justice by smashing his mobile phone, stomping on it multiple times in a bid to destroy potential evidence. This occurred during the same incident in which he was arrested in Coleman Street.
His case will return to court for a pre-trial conference on August 13, where the full scope of his offences, including both drug and financial charges, will be further examined.
The government’s move to tighten control over etomidate follows growing concern about the rise of "Kpods" vape pods that may contain dangerous chemicals marketed under misleading or unregulated branding. The upcoming legislative changes will serve as an interim measure to give law enforcement more tools to deal with offenders while broader laws are studied and potentially introduced by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
This case underscores the seriousness with which Singapore treats both public health and digital crimes. Sabriee’s charges show a pattern of reckless and illegal behavior, from misusing others’ financial information to attempting to sell hazardous vape products in public. The intersection of substance abuse, technology misuse, and criminal intent is fast becoming a priority issue for enforcement agencies.
As Singapore strengthens its legislation and enforcement around these issues, the public is reminded to steer clear of illegal vaping devices and report suspicious activity to the authorities. The outcome of Sabriee's case may set a new benchmark for how seriously such offences are punished going forward.
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