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$29,000 Worth of Illegal Cough Syrup Hidden in Bleach Bottles Seized in Yishun

 




The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) announced on November 28, 2025, that it has successfully intercepted two separate smuggling operations, leading to the seizure of illegal codeine cough syrup and prescription medicines with a combined street value of approximately $41,000. These swift enforcement actions prevented highly addictive controlled substances from reaching the illicit market in Singapore.

Case 1: Illegal Cough Syrup in Bleach Bottles

The first case involved the deceptive packaging and distribution of illegal cough syrup:

  • Detection: On November 17, 2025, HSA was alerted by a courier company that had observed two suspicious crates at their facility.

  • Concealment: The overseas shipments, intended for two separate addresses in Yishun, were deceptively labelled as a well-known household bleach but actually contained suspected codeine-based cough syrup.

  • Seizure: HSA conducted simultaneous enforcement operations at both Yishun delivery addresses on the same day, seizing over 106 litres of codeine cough syrup valued at approximately $29,000.

  • The Importer: Preliminary investigations indicate that a 43-year-old Singaporean male importer orchestrated the illegal distribution to both locations purely for financial gain. Investigation into this case is ongoing.

Case 2: Addictive Prescription Medicines at Changi Airport

The second case involved the attempted smuggling of dangerous sedatives and painkillers:

  • Interception: On November 19, 2025, a 23-year-old foreign national was detected by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers attempting to smuggle a large quantity of addictive prescription medicines at Changi Airport Terminal 3.

  • Seizure: The HSA officers, alerted by ICA, seized approximately 11,500 units of addictive prescription medicines, including sedatives and painkillers, with an estimated street value of $12,000.

  • Intent: These medicines were intended for illegal distribution within Singapore. Investigation into this case is also ongoing. HSA stressed that prescription medicines must only be obtained from a doctor or pharmacy with a valid prescription, as consumption without medical supervision poses serious health risks.

Enforcement Stand and Penalties

HSA emphasized its commitment to combating the illegal supply of health products and cited previous successful prosecutions to underline its serious stand against such activities:

  • Prior Convictions: Two individuals were prosecuted in 2024 for illegal supply:

    • November 2024: Rasel Md, 33, was sentenced to 32 weeks' imprisonment for illegal possession and distribution of cough syrups and prescription medicines ($4,000 estimated value).

    • January 2024: Muhammad Danish Fitri, 26, was sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment for importing over 9,500 units of prescription medicines ($27,000 estimated value) through Woodlands Checkpoint.

  • Maximum Penalties: Anyone caught importing, manufacturing, and/or supplying illegal health products is liable, upon conviction, to an imprisonment term of up to two years and/or a fine of up to $50,000.

HSA encouraged the public to report any illegal activity involving cough syrup and medicines to their Enforcement Branch.

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Location: Singapore

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