HSA Charges 18-Year-Old for Alleged Trafficking of Etomidate Vaporiser Pods

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has charged an 18-year-old male, Goh Shao Zhi Cornelius, in court on 6 April 2026 for the alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods. Goh had allegedly sold the pods to buyers after notifying them of the availability of stock via Telegram, a messaging application.

2     On 4 April 2026, HSA officers acted on a tip-off and conducted an enforcement operation at Goh's place of residence. During the search of the unit, HSA officers seized one vaporiser, 108 pods and one packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes. Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contained etomidate. Investigations are ongoing. The duty-unpaid cigarettes have been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation. Refer to the Annex for photos of the seized items.

3     The case has been adjourned to 4 May 2026. Goh is the second 18-year-old to be charged by HSA for alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods. Kwek Rui An Rayern, male, was the first 18-year-old who was charged by HSA for alleged trafficking of etomidate e-vaporiser pods on 17 October 2025.

4     HSA takes a serious view of vaporiser and etomidate trafficking offences. Under the current enhanced penalties framework that took effect on 1 September 2025, importers, sellers and distributors of etomidate vaporisers 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.

5     From 1 May 2026, the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA) will come into force. Under TVCA, etomidate and its analogues will be listed as Specified Psychoactive Substances (SPS), which will be specified in a new Schedule. The penalties related to vaporisers containing SPS are aligned with the relevant penalties in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 under the current enforcement framework. Importers face 3 to 20 years’ imprisonment and 5 to 15 strokes of the cane. Suppliers face 2 to 10 years’ imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the cane. 

 

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Published: 6 Apr 2026

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