HSA Seizes $41,000 Worth of Illegal Cough Syrup and Prescription Medicines from Alleged Smugglers in Two Separate Cases

Swift enforcement action prevents highly addictive substances from reaching illicit market

1   The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has successfully intercepted two smuggling operations involving illegal cough syrup and prescription medicines valued at around $41,000.

Illegal cough syrup hidden in bleach bottles

2   HSA was alerted to the case of illegal cough syrup on 17 November 2025 by a courier company that observed two suspicious crates at their storage facility. The overseas shipments, intended to be delivered to two separate addresses in Yishun, were deceptively labelled as a well-known household bleach but contained suspected codeine-based cough syrup. HSA conducted simultaneous enforcement operations at both delivery addresses on the same day and seized over 106 litres of codeine cough syrup worth about $29,000 from these locations. Preliminary investigations indicated that the 43-year-old Singaporean male importer orchestrated the illegal distribution to both locations for financial gain. Investigation is ongoing. Refer to the Annex for photos.

Addictive prescription medicines uncovered by enforcement officers at Changi Airport

3   In a separate case, a 23-year-old foreign national was caught for attempting to smuggle about 11,500 units of addictive prescription medicines including sedatives and painkillers valued at approximately $12,000 in street value, at Changi Airport Terminal 3 on 19 November 2025. These medicines were intended for illegal distribution in Singapore. The offender was detected by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers who alerted HSA officers. Prescription medicines should only be obtained from a doctor or from a pharmacy with a valid prescription and should be taken under medical supervision. They may pose serious health risks if consumed without medical supervision. Investigation into the case is ongoing.

Continued crackdown on illegal supply of health products 

4   HSA continues to work closely with courier companies and law enforcement agencies to combat the illegal importation and distribution of controlled substances, such as illegal cough syrups and prescription medicines. 

5   Notably, in 2024, 2 persons were prosecuted for illegal supply of cough syrups and prescription medicines:

(a) In November 2024, Rasel Md, 33, was convicted and sentenced to 32 weeks' imprisonment for illegal possession and distribution of close to 2 litres of cough syrups and more than 3,700 units of prescription medicines including sedatives, with an estimated value of $4,000 in Geylang.

(b) In January 2024, Muhammad Danish Fitri, 26, was convicted and sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment for importing more than 9,500 units of prescription medicines including sedatives, estimated to be worth more than $27,000 through Woodlands Checkpoint.

6 HSA takes a serious stand against illegal activities involving health products.  Anyone caught importing, manufacturing and/or supplying illegal health products is liable on conviction, to an imprisonment term for up to 2 years and/or fined up to $50,000.

7   Members of the public are encouraged to report any illegal activity involving illegal cough syrup and medicines to the Enforcement Branch of HSA at Tel: 6866-3485 from 8.30am to 5.30pm (Monday to Friday), or email: hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY

SINGAPORE

28 NOVEMBER 2025

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