Press Releases
HSA Charges 30-year-old Man for Alleged Etomidate Sale in Whampoa West Carpark
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product type
Tobacco control
4 February 2026
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has charged a 30-year-old man, Yeo Zhi Xiang, in court on 4 February 2026 for the alleged trafficking of etomidate e-vaporiser pods.
On 2 February 2026, Police officers attended to a dispute among three men involving the use of a knife at a Whampoa West carpark. The accused had allegedly pointed a knife at one of the men. This happened while one of the men was allegedly buying etomidate e-vaporiser pods from Yeo. Police officers subsequently detained the three men. Checks on Yeo’s van found 80 e-vaporiser pods – 29 were under the driver’s seat, another pod with an e-vaporiser was found at the car door on the side of the driver’s seat and 50 at the back of the van. The case was referred to HSA. Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contained etomidate, and investigations are ongoing. HSA is also investigating the two other men separately.
The case has been adjourned to 5 March 2026.
HSA takes a serious view of e-vaporiser and etomidate trafficking offences. Since the enhanced penalties framework took effect on 1 September 2025, importers, sellers and distributors of etomidate e-vaporisers now face stiffer penalties. These include 3 to 20 years’ imprisonment and 5 to 15 strokes of the cane for importers, and 2 to 10 years’ imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the cane for sellers and distributors.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
4 FEBRUARY 2026