Singapore man charged for allegedly making drug-laced vapes at home in first local case
Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was charged in court on Thursday (17 July) with five offences under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.
He had previously faced two charges under the Poisons Act for possessing and selling etomidate, a classified poison that has increasingly been detected in illegal vapes.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said Akil had been producing e-vaporiser pods containing etomidate at home with the intent to sell them.
Vapes and Chemicals Seized in Yishun Flat
On 11 December 2024, authorities raided a flat at Block 269B Yishun Street 22 and uncovered a large cache of vaping equipment and components.
The haul included 569 empty pod casings, 534 pod components, 1,485 pod covers, 100 loose vape pods, and other related items used to assemble the drug-laced devices, known as 'Kpods'.
Later that night, shortly after midnight, Akil allegedly sold 100 pods outside the same flat.
Each pod contained 150ml of liquid, which tests later confirmed was laced with etomidate—an anaesthetic agent typically used in clinical settings.
At around 5.30am on the same day, Akil was also allegedly found in possession of 26.4g of white powder containing the same substance.
Accused to Plead Guilty
Appearing in court via video link, Akil informed the judge that he understood the charges and intended to plead guilty to all of them.
He declined legal representation, stating: 'I don't want to waste the court's time.'
He has been in remand since 20 June.
A prosecutor from the HSA told the court that a plea bargain would be offered.
Akil is expected to enter his plea on 23 July.
He also faces a separate charge under the Passports Act.
On 20 January, while applying for a new passport, Akil allegedly told the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) that he had left a bag containing his passport and NRIC at a coffee shop.
Investigations later revealed the statement was false.
Authorities Mulling Stricter Vaping Regulations
In a written parliamentary reply on 8 January, the Ministry of Health (MOH) confirmed that a licence is required for the import and sale of etomidate, which is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act.
The HSA said it takes a 'serious view' of the illegal sale and misuse of etomidate and warned that 'stern actions' would be taken against offenders.
MOH, HSA, and other enforcement agencies have stepped up efforts to clamp down on illegal vaporisers.
In light of the growing prevalence of drug-laced Kpods, authorities are said to be considering tightening regulations on vaping.
Members of the public who wish to report vaping offences or the sale of vaping products may contact HSA's Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 during office hours from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
17 hours ago
- Straits Times
British man convicted of offering minister's information to Russian intelligence
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Howard Phillips was found guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service on July 22. LONDON – A British man who offered personal information about former defence minister Grant Shapps to Russian intelligence for money was on July 22 f ound guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service. Howard Phillips offered Mr Shapps' home address and phone number to two people he believed were Russian agents but were in fact British undercover officers, prosecutors said. The 65-year-old denied one count of engaging in conduct intended to materially assist a foreign intelligence service, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail. Phillips gave evidence at his trial at Winchester Crown Court, claiming he was trying to 'trap and expose a foreign agent'. But he was convicted of the offence under the National Security Act by a jury on July 22 . He will be sentenced at a later date. At the start of his trial, prosecutor Jocelyn Ledward said Phillips offered to help Russian intelligence 'not necessarily for ideological reasons or because he sympathised with the Russian state'. Ms Ledward said Phillips had sought to carry out 'easy – and, perhaps, interesting or exciting – work for easy money'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Business Chat with experts on brand media coverage at the latest Conversations with ST Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving Phillips was approached in March 2024 by purported Russian agents, using the names Sasha and Dima, who asked Phillips to save a file onto a clean USB stick, stating what he could offer and why, and hide it inside a parked bicycle on a London street. He later met Dima in May 2024, saying he knew Mr Shapps' home address, telephone number and where his private plane was kept as he had visited Mr Shapps' house, Ms Ledward said. Phillips also offered logistical support, by booking a hotel and buying a mobile phone for a foreign intelligence service, prosecutors said. REUTERS
Straits Times
20 hours ago
- Straits Times
New-look Australia swim team using World Aquatics C'ships in S'pore to build towards LA 2028
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Kaylee McKeown competing in the women's 100m backstroke final during the Australian Swimming Trials in Adelaide on June 10. SYDNEY – Seasoned campaigners Kaylee McKeown and Kyle Chalmers spearhead a young Australia squad for the World Aquatics Championships (WCH) in Singapore as the swimming powerhouse undergoes a post-Olympics changing of the guard. Since Paris, where Australia won seven golds to the eight by the United States, several big names have either retired or are resting. Australia's most successful Olympian, Emma McKeon, has hung up her goggles as have other stalwarts including Mitch Larkin, Brianna Throssell and Jenna Strauch. Four-time Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus – who lost her 400m freestyle world record to Canadian Summer McIntosh in June – is on an extended break. That has opened the door for 10 debutants to make the Australia squad for the World Aquatics Championships, where the swimming events begin on July 27 at the newly built WCH Arena. Head coach Rohan Taylor characterised Singapore as the beginning of a new cycle building to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and a key learning experience for Australia's next potential superstars. 'I am excited by what this team can do over the next four years,' said Taylor. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport Asia Indonesia on high alert as dry weather fans forest, peatland fires in Sumatra Singapore 2 charged over alleged role in posting bail for man who later absconded Singapore Teen charged after allegedly selling vaporisers, advertising e-cigarettes on WhatsApp Singapore 2,500 turtles seized in India and sent back to S'pore, put down humanely after salmonella detected Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving 'This is the beginning of the third Olympic campaign I have been the head coach for, and this team has a strong nucleus in place. 'The end goal is LA, but to be great in LA this very young team, which boasts 10 rookies, is going to learn what is needed on the global stage in Singapore.' Eleven of the squad are aged 20 or under. At just 16, Sienna Toohey has Australian fans most excited after she came from nowhere to qualify for the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Australia also have high hopes for fellow newcomers such as Hannah Fredericks (200m backstroke) and Ben Goedemans (800m freestyle), while Ella Ramsay, 21, will contest four events. The experienced core of the squad is led by Paris Olympics 50m freestyle champion Cameron McEvoy, who will be at his seventh world championships. His close friend Chalmers – who has won medals in the 100m free at three consecutive Olympics including gold on debut in Rio 2016 – toyed with packing up swimming after Paris, but a new coach has rejuvenated him. He was in scintillating form at the trials, qualifying in speedy times for the 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 50m butterfly. 'I'm just trusting what I have been doing in training, listening to what my coaches are telling me, trusting that we've done the work,' said Chalmers, who has won 12 world championship medals, including five golds. The women are headlined by McKeown, who retained her 100m and 200m backstroke titles in Paris. The 24-year-old will also swim the 50m in Singapore – an event added to the Olympic programme in 2028 – looking to emulate the treble she won at the 2023 world championships. Like McKeown, Olympic 200m champion Mollie O'Callaghan has been open about her struggles mentally after the high of Paris, where she achieved her dreams with three golds, a silver and a bronze. She has refocused and is a gold-medal prospect in both the 100m and 200m freestyle. Fast-rising teenager Olivia Wunsch is Australia's other women's 100m freestyle entrant, also qualifying for the 50m free alongside Olympic silver medallist Meg Harris. Lani Pallister has taken giant strides since the Olympics and had a breakthrough trials. She became only the third woman to swim under 15min 40sec in the 1,500m freestyle behind American great Katie Ledecky and the retired Dane Lottie Friis. Pallister also shattered Titmus's 800m national record and went under four minutes for the first time in the 400m. 'I think I've shown what I can do and I'm excited to build on it – I don't think this is my limit,' she said. REUTERS
AsiaOne
20 hours ago
- AsiaOne
'I have seen his hands tremble, his eyes go blank': Son's K-pod addiction leaves parents in $30k debt, Singapore News
A father has shared his frustrations and concerns after his son was dismissed from multiple jobs due to an addiction to 'Kpods' — vape pods containing liquid laced with etomidate, a powerful anaesthetic. In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, the father, who did not wish to be named, said his son, who is in his 20s, began using the e-vaporisers in January last year. However, it wasn't until January this year that his appearance and mental state changed dramatically. Before-and-after photos seen by Shin Min showed a shocking transformation: from a healthy young man with a ruddy complexion and strong physique to someone pale, thin, and with dull eyes. Despite bringing his son for counselling in March this year and receiving repeated assurances that he would quit his addiction, the young man continued to break his promises. What disappointed him most was seeing his son come home recently with an unsteady gait and vacant expression — a clear sign that he had relapsed. "I have seen his hands tremble, his eyes go blank and sometimes he has to hold onto the wall just to walk," said the father, adding that his son had been fired from three to four jobs this year due to the addiction. However, the situation worsened when his son, who was financially desperate, began borrowing money from a loan company, resulting in a wave of collection letters sent to the family. The father revealed that he and his wife have used their life savings to pay off most of their son's debts. According to the Chinese daily, one of the collection notices showed that each loan was around $2,500. "I'm heartbroken at his actions, but he's still my son. I told him that as long as he stops smoking, I would pay off the $30,000 debt he owes," he said, adding that he and his wife still have no idea where their son obtained the e-vaporisers. "I feel completely hopeless. I don't even dare report this to the Health Sciences Authority. If they fine him and he can't pay, we'll be the ones left to bear the cost." The father told Shin Min that during Chinese New Year, his son was even assaulted by a seller after failing to pay for e-vaporisers bought on credit. "The person told him that if he couldn't pay, he'd have to run errands to repay the debt. Isn't that illegal?" the father questioned, revealing that strangers have also taken photos of their front door. In March alone, the father said he found more than 20 e-vaporisers in his son's room. "Sometimes I'd confiscate them, and he'd just go out for a walk and come back with a new one," he said, adding that many of the devices come in various shapes and colours. Quit his job to supervise son In a desperate attempt to help, the father told Shin Min that he quit his job in March and stayed home to supervise his son for a month. "I was worried he'd buy more e-vaporisers, and I hoped he'd quit and stay away from bad influences," he said. With his son initially showed signs of improvement, the father returned to work in April — only to discover that his son had secretly resumed vaping. The father said he hopes to warn others about the dangers of vapes through his personal experience, while urging authorities to step up enforcement and introduce policies that impose equal penalties on both buyers and sellers. Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, the purchase, possession, and use of e-vaporisers are illegal, with offenders facing fines of up to $2,000. Possessing or using pods containing etomidate, a controlled substance under the Poisons Act that can cause permanent organ failure and hallucinations, can result in jail of up to two years and a fine of up to $10,000. [[nid:720471]]
