HSA Charged 24-Year-Old Male for Alleged Importation of Etomidate Vaporiser Pods

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) charged a 24-year-old male, Sheikh Omar Bin Mohamed Ismail, in court on 2 July 2026 for the alleged importation of etomidate vaporiser pods under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA).

2       On 30 June 2026, the suspect was detained by officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) while entering Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint. ICA officers discovered 2 vaporisers and 100 vaporiser pods concealed in the car, and alerted HSA, whose officers attended the scene and took over the investigations. Two other vaporisers were seized from his home. Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contained etomidate. Investigations are ongoing. Please refer to the Annex for the photographs of the seized items.

3       The suspect was remanded for a week to assist with further investigations. The case was mentioned again in court on 9 July 2026, and has been adjourned to 18 August 2026.

4       HSA takes a serious view of vaporiser and etomidate trafficking offences. Under TVCA, 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
9 JULY 2026

ANNEX

Photo 1: This photo is to be credited to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore.

Photo 2 & 3: These photos are to be credited to the Health Sciences Authority, Singapore.