Singapore's first Kpod case: Yishun man charged over home-made drug-laced vapes
Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim faces five charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act after authorities allegedly uncovered a DIY operation involving hundreds of vaping components inside an HDB flat in Yishun.
According to charge sheets, the Singaporean was found on December 11, 2024, with 569 empty pod casings, 534 pod components, 1,485 pod covers, and 100 loose e-vaporiser pods.
The Straits Times understands these items were used to produce Kpods — drug-laced vape pods that have become a growing public concern.
A prosecutor from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) told the court a plea offer was ready.
Appearing via video-link, Akil told the court he wanted to plead guilty to all the charges and did not intend to engage legal counsel.
'I don't want to waste the court's time,' he reportedly said.
Akil had earlier been charged under the Poisons Act for possessing and selling etomidate, a restricted hospital-grade sedative increasingly found in illicit vape pods.
He allegedly sold 100 vape pods containing the substance shortly after midnight on December 11, outside the same flat.
Later that morning, around 5.30am, he was allegedly found with 26.4 grams of white powder that tested positive for etomidate.
Etomidate, normally administered intravenously for sedation during medical procedures, can cause severe side effects, such as seizures, breathing difficulties and psychosis, if inhaled.
Akil also faces a separate charge under the Passports Act for allegedly lying to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority in January, claiming he had lost his passport at a coffeeshop.
He has been in remand since June 20 and is expected to plead guilty on July 23.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Tuesday (Aug 5, 2025)
Malaysia * Rising govt debt under control, directed at development, says Anwar * MCMC probes viral video of 'influencers' giving scraps to homeless man * Boeing aircraft deal driven by demand, strategic interest, says Anwar * Use 'Sulawesi Sea' and not 'Ambalat' to refer to contested maritime area, says Tok Mat * Opposition lawmakers' claims show they haven't read 13MP document, says PM * Govt to kick off Budget 2026 consultation session on Aug 7, says Fahmi * CAAM, Boeing team up to improve KLIA air traffic ahead of expected passenger surge * Sex worker caught in the act during Sandakan police raid * Respect process of law in probe of Zara Qairina's death, says Home Minister * Structural reforms continue to underpin Malaysia's resilience, says Bank Negara Governor * Health Ministry to engage food content creators to promote healthy eating, says Dzulkefly * Family wants AG to hold inquest into Zara Qairina's death * Court of appeal dismissed former special needs student's appeal in bullying suit * Defence closes case in Zayn Rayyan neglect trial, verdict on Oct 31 * Govt developing AI guidelines to combat online scam, to be ready early 2026 * Proposals on unexplained wealth, monthly pensions to be studied, says Amir Hamzah * Teacher claims trial to sexual assault of 11-year-old student * Dewan Rakyat lacks clear mechanism for no-confidence vote, says Beluran MP * MCMC questions influencer trio over 'leftovers' video * Decomposing body of elderly woman found in locked Kuala Krai flat Singapore * Tycoon pleads guilty in graft case * Singapore-made bot amble matchmakes strangers virtually - without profile photos * Singapore jails Malaysian over scheme to buy phones worth more than S$45,000 with stolen credit card details * 'She had a whole life ahead of her': Boyfriend mourns Singapore's Yishun fatal crash victim * Elderly man in Singapore charged after he allegedly molested, performed sex act on 'vulnerable' man * CEO of sports car distributor accused of offences including multiple counts of false trading in Singapore Indonesia * Indonesia police detain former eFishery CEO who faked data * Two foreign tourists held over robbery targeting money changers in Bali * 18-month jail sentence for sandals thief sparks corruption debate in Indonesia * Bali trial opens for American man accused of drug distribution * Two Chinese nationals dead in Bali boat accident: authorities Thailand * PM Anwar's four wins as Asean Chair, according to veteran Thai journalist * Thailand's foreign tourist numbers fall 6% as regional competition intensifies * Thaksin's niece files complaint over false claims of being a "Cambodian spy" * Thailand approves US$600mil deal for Swedish fighter jets * Thailand plans $572 million stimulus spending and will compensate border conflict casualties * Thai Cabinet approves 10mil baht compensations for fallen troops, police, 8mil baht for killed civilians * Thailand's monitor lizards tipped as next big 'economic animal' in luxury leather * Bangkok seeks sustainable ceasefire ahead of high-level GBC talks * Ceasefire, terms of reference main topic of Thai-Cambodia talks, says Defence Force chief Philippines * Inaugural patrol bolsters defence * Philippine inflation at near six-year low, paves way for rate cuts * Philippines' Marcos strikes defence deals in India Vietnam * Vietnam issues food safety control procedures for exported fresh durian * Vinh Long province seeks to develop diverse tourism experiences in Vietnam * Vietnam facing worsening African swine fever outbreaks * Unexploded bomb found during flood clean-up in Dien Bien, Vietnam Myanmar * Schools and hospital reopen in Nawnghkio town, over 3,400 students return to classrooms * 2 million stimulant tablets seized in southern Myanmar Cambodia * French woman found dead after disappearing during solo run near Angkor Wat * Opinion - Why the SEA Games must remain untouched by politics Laos * Nine dead, over 58,000 affected by floods in Laos * Lao Provincial party secretary, governor replaced as govt extends reshuffle Brunei * Brunei represented at Asean Ride 2025 in Indonesia * Brunei to enhance inclusivity of public sports facilities * Stronger stakeholder commitment needed towards Brunei's Vision 2035 Aseanplus * Anwar calls for deeper appreciation of Asian history, free from colonial narratives * Thailand and Cambodia should reach common ground in peace talks by Aug 7, says Anwar * Thailand-Cambodia talks an early success towards a full resolution, says PM * Sultan Ibrahim arrives in Russia for maiden state visit * Cricket-India's Gill celebrates first series as captain with dramatic win * QuickCheck: Is there a fake letter bearing the Works Minister's name about gratuity payment ceremony? * Athletics-Bednarek labels Lyles 'unsportsmanlike' after post-200m scuffle * Readying Beijing for more rain * Students rally in Dhaka for a new polity amid turmoil * Travel and funding ban for overseas activists * Torrential rain in Taiwan kills four over past week * Unearthing Hiroshima's forgotten dead * Removal of loudspeakers on border with North * Oil falls as Opec+ proceeds with September output increase * Cambodia-Thailand conflict negotiation, govt debt in focus at Dewan Rakyat today * Australia awards navy frigate contract to Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy * Chinese actress Zhao Lusi accuses agency of wage theft, threats * Ringgit extends gains vs US$ amid rate cut talks * Palestine, Taiwan join Hiroshima ceremony for first time on 80th anniversary * Hong Kong issues highest weather warning, as rains shut schools, courts and hospital wards * Nine Malaysian firms make the cut in Forbes Asia's Best Under A Billion 2025 * Asian markets track Wall St rally on Fed rate cut bets * Beijing lifts rain alert after evacuating over 80,000 * Australia lifts foreign student cap to 295,000 and prioritises South-East Asia * Barges carrying fireworks ablaze in Japan, five flee into sea * China's Baidu to deploy robotaxis on rideshare app Lyft * Thousands join Bangladesh rallies, concerts one year after Hasina's ouster * Jeju to host K-Culture Festival, offers fully-paid trip to three wheelchair-using M'sian BTS fans * Platforms to rein in aggressive discounting * 'KPop Demon Hunters' songwriter Vince to release new single with G-Dragon * Japan sets record high temperatures, worries mount over rice crops * Jailed rapist refuses to quit Australian state parliament * Court orders Caprice to remove defamatory Instagram posts about businessman * Oil edges down as traders weigh Trump's latest India threat * Hong Kong police investigate mangled body found on street * Japan sets record temperature of 41.8 deg C * Thousands join Bangladesh rallies, concerts one year after Hasina's ouster * India deploys rescue teams as flood swamps Himalayan town * Pakistan police arrest 120 workers of ex-PM Imran Khan's party ahead of protest * US reaffirms commitment to strengthen defence, security diplomacy across Asean, says PM Anwar * Ringgit ends higher against US dollar on Fed rate cut hopes * Hong Kong's booming wealth sector to lead hiring and office expansion, HKMA says * South-East Asia's rising golf star Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand is now the No. 1 in the Rolex Women's World Golf Ranking * Google offers to blur sensitive sites on its map amid Seoul's security concerns * China announces phased implementation of free preschool education * Malaysia's 'it' couple, Bella Astillah and Syed Saddiq, are also the star-twosome after being awarded the 'hottest duo' title at Melodi Awards * Actress Bella Astillah had to present award to ex-husband's rumoured fling * China twins score 666 points in crucial exam, astonish many with coincidence * Trump says 'getting very close' on extending China trade truce * Trump says he will 'substantially' raise tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases * Motor racing-Cadillac will add value as 11th F1 team, says McLaren's Brown * Malaysia in final running for Unesco Executive Board seat * India hits back at Trump's threat over Russian oil purchases * Australia regulator says YouTube, others 'turning a blind eye' to child abuse material
Rakyat Post
13 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
Singapore-Registered Mini Cooper Driver Busted Doing Petrol 'Takeaway' With Malaysia's Subsidised Fuel
Subscribe to our FREE The driver of a Singapore-registered vehicle got caught red-handed at a Johor Bahru Caltex station, not just filling up his Mini Cooper with Malaysia's subsidised RON95 petrol, but pumping the cheap fuel into containers for takeaway. The vehicle was recently photographed at Nusa Sentral in Johor Bahru, making what amounts to a bulk petrol shopping run, treating subsidised Malaysian fuel like it's some kind of cross-border grocery haul. The internet had a field day with the double contradiction: here's someone with a Singapore-registered Mini Cooper – not exactly a budget car, and definitely not cheap to own in Singapore – but apparently can't stomach paying Singapore petrol prices. Road vigilante group SGRV FRONT MAN's Facebook post exploded with typical internet justice: 'Got gas for his enduro motorbike now! All set for a day of riding' – suggesting creative uses for the extra fuel 'Immigration & Checkpoints Authority helu polis, tangkap ini olang' – someone demanding authorities arrest the guy. 'Tapao some more.. steady mini' – mocking the takeaway mentality Why This Container Thing Matters Malaysia's RON95 costs about 60 Singapore cents per litre – four to five times cheaper than The government subsidises this fuel specifically for Malaysian citizens, and foreign-registered vehicles have been But a Singapore-registered car pumping it into containers? That's next-level subsidy abuse, essentially turning a quick fuel stop into a smuggling operation. Some sharp-eyed commenters noted that even However, enforcement of these rules has always been inconsistent, allowing foreign-registered vehicles, such as this Mini Cooper, to exploit the system for years. The guy's probably hoping this viral moment blows over, but the internet never forgets – especially when the irony runs this deep across international borders. Meanwhile, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN) is READ MORE : READ MORE : READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
The Sun
21 hours ago
- The Sun
Tycoon who brought F1 to Singapore pleads guilty in graft case
SINGAPORE: A Malaysian hotel tycoon who helped bring Formula One to Singapore pleaded guilty Monday to abetting the obstruction of justice, in a rare corruption case in the city-state that saw a former transport minister jailed last year. Singapore-based billionaire Ong Beng Seng, 79, was charged in October last year with helping former transport minister S. Iswaran cover up evidence in a graft investigation. He was also accused of showering Iswaran with lavish gifts, including tickets to the 2017 Singapore Formula One Grand Prix, flights on a private jet, business class travel and a luxury hotel stay. Ong entered his guilty plea from a glass-encased dock at a district court in downtown Singapore on Monday. Prosecutors sought a two-month jail term after Ong agreed to plead guilty. He will be sentenced on August 15. But prosecutors also agreed with defence lawyers that the court could exercise 'judicial mercy' in view of Ong's poor health -- which could further reduce any sentence. Defence lawyers pleaded for clemency, saying their septuagenarian client suffered from a litany of serious ailments, including an incurable form of cancer. They asked for a 'stiff fine' instead of actual jail time. 'The risks to Mr. Ong's life increase dramatically in prison,' lawyer Cavinder Bull told the court, saying prison could not give his client sufficient care. 'This man is living on the edge,' Bull added. The Attorney General's Chambers said in a statement that after 'considering the medical evidence before the Court', the prosecutors did not object to imposing a fine instead of jail time. The trial of Malaysia-born Ong had attracted significant media attention due to his links with Iswaran and the affluent city-state's reputation as one of the world's least corrupt nations. Ong owns Singapore-based Hotel Properties Limited and is the rights holder to the Singapore Grand Prix Formula One race. He and Iswaran were instrumental in bringing the Formula One night race on a street circuit to Singapore in 2008. In July 2023, Ong was arrested as part of a graft probe involving Iswaran and was subsequently released on bail. In October last year, Iswaran was jailed for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to accepting illegal gifts worth more than Sg$400,000 ($310,000). He was also found guilty of obstructing justice, in the city-state's first political graft trial in nearly half a century. Iswaran completed his sentence on June 6. - AFP
