HSA Charged 25-year-old Male for Alleged Trafficking of Etomidate Vaporiser Pods

          The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) charged a 25-year-old male, Muhammad Danial Bin Mohd Shahri, in court on 19 May 2026 for the alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA).

2        On 17 May 2026, HSA officers acted on a tip-off and conducted an enforcement operation at the suspect’s place of residence in Punggol. During the search of the unit, HSA officers seized 39 vaporiser pods. 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 26 May 2026, and has been adjourned to 21 July 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
27 MAY 2026

ANNEX

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