First Etomidate Vaporiser Pod Importer Sentenced to Three Years' Jail and Five Strokes of the Cane

Png Swee Sheng, 39, was sentenced today, 2 October 2026, to 3 years' imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane for importing etomidate vaporiser pods under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). Png is the first person to be convicted and sentenced for importing etomidate vaporiser pods under the MDA. Etomidate was a Class C controlled drug listed in the First Schedule of the MDA at the material time. The penalties for importation of etomidate under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA) which came into effect on 1 May 2026 are similar and include a minimum 3 years’ imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane.

2       On 6 February 2026, Png entered Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint in a rental car and was stopped and referred for further checks by officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority. ​Two packages labelled as laundry detergent powder that contained two vaporisers and 210 vaporiser pods were found in the boot of the car. Png was arrested and the case was referred to HSA. Png’s urine samples tested positive for etomidate, which he had consumed on or before 6 February 2026, prior to entering Singapore. Laboratory tests by HSA confirmed that 208 of the seized pods contained etomidate.

3       HSA’s investigations revealed that sometime on 5 January 2026, Png had received a message via Telegram from an acquaintance known as "Pod", who offered him a job to deliver vaporiser pods into Singapore. Png was promised between $500 and $800 for the delivery. Despite knowing that these products were illegal in Singapore, he agreed to this arrangement as he was in need of money. On 6 February 2026, acting on instructions from “Pod”, Png drove to a mall in Johor Bahru, Malaysia and collected the illegal items. He was informed that further details regarding the delivery would be provided once he entered Singapore. However, he was arrested upon arrival at Woodlands Checkpoint. Png was subsequently charged by HSA for the import of etomidate vaporiser pods on 10 February 2026.

4       HSA takes a serious view of the importation and supply of illegal vaporisers, particularly those containing etomidate. Under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993, etomidate and its analogues are listed as Specified Psychoactive Substances in the Schedule. Upon conviction, importers face a sentence of 3 to 20 years’ imprisonment and 5 to 15 strokes of the cane while suppliers face a sentence of 2 to 10 years’ imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the cane.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
2 OCTOBER 2026

ANNEX

All photos are to be credited to the Health Sciences Authority, Singapore