Press Releases
Malaysian Driver Jailed for Smuggling Around $73,000 Worth of E-vaporisers
Audiences
Consumer
Healthcare professional
Industry member
Product type
Tobacco control
7 December 2023
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The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has prosecuted Maran A/L Seger, a 31-year-old male Malaysian lorry driver for smuggling into Singapore a total of 750 e-vaporisers and 3,150 related components, worth an estimated $73,000. (Please refer to Annex A in the pdf for photo.) He was sentenced to 40 days’ imprisonment.
2 On 20 October 2023, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Tuas Checkpoint detected anomalies in the scanned images of a Malaysia-registered lorry that Maran was driving. The officers had directed the lorry for further checks and uncovered numerous boxes of e-vaporisers and components concealed among cartons containing shampoo products.
3 HSA's investigations revealed that Maran’s job was to deliver cosmetic products such as shampoos to Singapore twice a week. He had been doing so from August to October 2023. He would receive a notification from his employer on the delivery details and proceed with the delivery of the items into Singapore.
Penalties for such offences in Singapore
4 HSA reminds the public that the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act prohibits the import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of illegal tobacco products. These include e-vaporisers and their components, shisha tobacco, and smokeless tobacco such as Gutkha, Khaini and Zarda.
5 Any person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offence. All prohibited tobacco items will be seized and confiscated.
Consumer advisory
6 The Health Sciences Authority strongly advises transport companies and drivers against bringing in unknown items and prohibited tobacco products into Singapore. Offenders will be detained in Singapore pending investigations. Convicted offenders will be barred from entering Singapore.
7 Members of the public who have information on the illegal import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of e-vaporisers can contact HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch at Tel: 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 during office hours (9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday).
8 Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains a top priority for ICA. ICA will continue to conduct security checks and work with relevant authorities to detect and deter smuggling attempts so as to keep Singapore safe.
HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE
7 DECEMBER 2023