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

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

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.

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.

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.