On 26 August 2025, Singapore saw its first-ever conviction linked to “Kpods”, when 41-year-old Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was sentenced to 16 months’ jail and fined $400. This historic ruling highlights the rising threat of etomidate-laced vaping pods and the tough stance authorities are taking against offenders.
The case dates back to December 2024, when Akil was caught at his Yishun flat with 26.4 grams of white powder. That powder contained enough etomidate to produce over 70 vape pods. During investigations, he admitted to mixing the substance into e-liquids and filling pods for sale to customers across Singapore. Akil revealed that he had been recruited by a man known only as “Joe”, whom he met at a Johor mall. Joe supplied the raw materials, and Akil prepared the pods for distribution, earning $10 for each one.
One transaction proved to be his downfall. In the early hours of 11 December 2024, Akil prepared 100 pods for a customer known as “Beast”. The delivery was picked up but later reported to police by the deliveryman, who discovered the contents. Health Sciences Authority (HSA) officers raided Akil’s home the same morning, finding etomidate powder, syringes, and vape-related equipment.
Deputy Principal District Judge Ong Chin Rhu, while passing sentence, emphasized the serious dangers posed by etomidate. Though it is typically used in hospitals as a sedative, the substance is extremely harmful when inhaled through vaping. The judge noted that etomidate had already been linked to multiple unnatural death cases, including a fatal traffic accident. Deterrence, she stressed, was paramount.
Akil’s crimes also had a transnational element, as the supplies and instructions came from across the border, raising the possibility of syndicate involvement. The court also heard that he attempted to deceive the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority in early 2025 by falsely claiming he lost his passport, allowing him to obtain a new one and travel abroad even after investigations began.
The case comes at a time when Singapore is tightening its laws. Currently, etomidate is regulated under the Poisons Act, but from 1 September 2025, it will be classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). This means significantly harsher penalties. For possession and use, offenders may face up to 10 years’ jail and a $20,000 fine, while traffickers risk similar jail terms and caning.
The Health Sciences Authority has highlighted that vaping etomidate can cause seizures, psychosis, and severe breathing issues. Despite this, Akil pressed on with production due to financial difficulties, ignoring the risks to public health.
Separately, the courts are reconsidering sentences for other vaping-related offenders, with judges pushing prosecutors to seek tougher punishments in line with public sentiment. Among those awaiting judgment are Orison Toh Chun Kee, 28, Nicole Lorraine Rodrigues, 32, and Tan Wee Siong, 44.
This landmark conviction sends a clear warning: the era of leniency towards vape-related offences is ending. With new laws in place, those who think they can profit from illegal vape products risk facing far harsher consequences.
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