A significant, island-wide enforcement operation targeting public entertainment outlets in Singapore has concluded, resulting in a large number of arrests and seizures related to electronic vaporisers and other offenses. The operation, which was a joint effort by multiple agencies, took place over a two-week period from August 15 to August 23, 2025.
The scale of the operation was substantial, involving more than 270 officers deployed from various law enforcement bodies. These officers conducted a total of 16 coordinated operations across all seven Police Land Divisions. Their efforts focused on 151 different pubs, bars, and KTV lounges, where they performed checks on more than 1,600 individuals. The initiative is part of a broader, ongoing government effort to combat the use and distribution of electronic vaporisers.
The primary outcome of these raids was the apprehension of 195 individuals for offenses directly related to electronic vaporisers. Those caught ranged in age from 17 to 61 years old. During the checks, enforcement officers confiscated a significant haul of over 340 vaping devices and various related components. A more serious discovery was made when eleven pods, seized from six different people, were subsequently tested and found to contain the substance etomidate. All persons caught with vaporisers were issued fines for possession. The six individuals found with the etomidate-containing pods will face additional investigation for possession of a poison.
Beyond the vaping-related offenses, the operations led to several other arrests. Nine men, between the ages of 19 and 47, were arrested at the entertainment outlets on suspicion of being members of unlawful societies. In the Geylang area, two women, aged 35 and 36, were arrested; one for overstaying her permit and the other for failing to furnish her particulars to authorities. Furthermore, a 26-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman were taken into custody after they were discovered to be wanted by the police.
This enforcement push comes just as new, stricter penalties for such offenses came into effect. As of September 1, 2025, etomidate is officially classified as a Class C Controlled Drug. This reclassification means abusers now face much harsher penalties. First-time offenders will be required to attend a rehabilitation program for up to six months. Those caught a second time will be arrested and investigated, and will be placed under mandatory supervision for six months, which includes drug testing and rehabilitation. Third-time offenders aged 16 and above will be admitted to a Drug Rehabilitation Centre for treatment.
A senior police official stated that the police will continue to proactively look out for electronic vaporisers and etomidate-laced devices during their operations and will work closely with other agencies on future joint enforcement operations. A representative from the Health Sciences Authority emphasized the government's resolve in tackling the vaping problem and warned of the serious health risks posed by etomidate, stating that those caught will now face harsher consequences under the enhanced penalty framework.
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