HSA Charges 21-Year-Old for Alleged Trafficking of Etomidate Vaporiser Pods

      The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has charged a 21-year-old male, Brandon Loke Jo Kit, in court on 20 April 2026 for the alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods. 

2     On 19 April 2026, HSA officers conducted an enforcement operation at Loke's residence, following reports of alleged etomidate vaporiser sales in the vicinity of Kovan area. During the search of the unit, HSA officers seized 21 vaporisers and 116 pods, and cash that he allegedly gained through the sales of these illegal products. Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contained etomidate. Investigations are ongoing. Refer to the Annex for photos of the seized items.

3     The case has been adjourned to 18 May 2026. 

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.