18-Year-Old Charged for Trafficking Etomidate Vape Pods

An 18-year-old Singaporean male has been formally charged for his alleged involvement in trafficking electronic vaporiser pods suspected to contain the controlled substance etomidate. Kwek Rui An Rayern appeared in court on October 17th, 2025, following an investigation led by the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore.

The case began on October 16th, 2025, when officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority discovered the suspected etomidate pods during an inspection of the teenager's vehicle. Upon this discovery, the authorities immediately referred the matter to the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation and action. The initial vehicle inspection resulted in the seizure of significant evidence, including two electronic vaporiser devices and 127 individual pods believed to contain etomidate.

The investigation expanded to include a search of the suspect's residence in the Bedok area, where law enforcement officials located and confiscated an additional five suspected etomidate pods. This brought the total number of seized pods to 132. All confiscated items are currently undergoing laboratory analysis to confirm the presence of etomidate, with the Health Sciences Authority's investigation remaining active and ongoing.

The legal proceedings have been temporarily adjourned, with the case scheduled to return to court on October 24th, 2025. This adjournment allows for the continuation of investigations and the completion of laboratory testing on the seized substances.

Singaporean authorities have emphasized their serious approach toward offenses involving electronic vaporisers and etomidate trafficking. The country has implemented enhanced penalties for such crimes, reflecting the government's firm stance against the distribution of controlled substances through vaping products. Under current regulations, individuals convicted of importing etomidate-laced vaporisers face severe consequences, including imprisonment terms ranging from three to twenty years and corporal punishment consisting of five to fifteen strokes of the cane.

For those involved in selling or distributing these prohibited substances, the penalties, while slightly less severe, remain substantial. Convicted sellers and distributors may face imprisonment from two to ten years along with caning sentences of two to five strokes. These stringent measures demonstrate Singapore's commitment to combating the illegal trade of controlled substances, particularly when targeted at younger populations through popular delivery methods like electronic vaporisers.

News Source: HSA

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