HSA Charges 38-Year-Old Male for Alleged Trafficking of Etomidate Vaporiser Pods

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) had charged a 38-year-old male, Ong Zhiyong Jeremy, in court on 22 October 2026 for the alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA).

2       On 20 October 2026, Ong was detained during an enforcement operation conducted by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in Jurong East. Police officers seized 3 vaporiser pods in an envelope from his possession and subsequently found another 121 vaporiser pods in the suspect’s pouch and motorcycle during a search of his vehicle. HSA took over investigations at the scene. Laboratory testing subsequently confirmed that the seized pods contained etomidate. The suspect was working as a delivery rider and the pods were allegedly intended for delivery to customers. Please refer to the Annex for 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 29 October 2026 and has been adjourned to 10 December 2026.

4       HSA takes a serious view of vaporiser and etomidate trafficking offences. Under the 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 traffickers face a sentence of 2 to 10 years’ imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the cane.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
29 OCTOBER 2026

ANNEX

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

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