HSA Charges 31-year-old Male for Alleged Trafficking of Etomidate Vaporiser Pods

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has charged a 31-year-old male, Tan Jun Yuan, Jovan, in court on 12 August 2026 for the alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA).

2            On 10 August 2026, the Traffic Police attended to a road traffic accident involving the suspect’s rental car and a taxi. The officers found a total of two vaporisers and 94 vaporiser pods during a search of the car. HSA officers were alerted and took over the seized items at the scene. The suspect was arrested by the Traffic Police and subsequently handed over to HSA to assist with its investigations. The suspect tested positive for etomidate in an instant urine test and admitted that he had vaped etomidate in the morning before the accident. He was remanded for a week.

3            Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contain etomidate. One vaporiser and one pod that was seized was for the suspect’s personal consumption. The rest were allegedly intended for supply. Investigations into the vaporiser and etomidate trafficking offences are ongoing. The suspect is also assisting in the Traffic Police’s investigations under the Road Traffic Act 1961.

4            The case was mentioned again in court on 19 August 2026 and has been adjourned to 28 September 2026. Please refer to the Annex for the photographs of the seized items.

5         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
19 AUGUST 2026

ANNEX

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