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Singapore Law Watch
18-07-2025
- Singapore Law Watch
Man charged over making drug-laced vapes at home
Man charged over making drug-laced vapes at home Source: Straits Times Article Date: 18 Jul 2025 Author: Christine Tan The case involving a man who intended to sell the Kpods, is first of its kind in Singapore. A man who allegedly made drug-laced vapes, or Kpods, at home was charged on July 17. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was manufacturing e-vaporiser pods containing etomidate at home with the intent to sell them. HSA said Akil's case is the first of its kind in Singapore. For making these do-it-yourself Kpods, the 41-year-old Singaporean was handed five charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. On Dec 11, 2024, Akil was allegedly found with vapes and various related components in an HDB flat at Block 269B Yishun Street 22. These included 569 pieces of empty pod casings, 534 pieces of pod components, 1,485 pieces of pod covers and 100 loose e-vaporiser pods, among other items, according to charge sheets. An HSA prosecutor said in court that the authorities were ready with a plea offer for him. He said he did not want to hire a lawyer, adding: 'I don't want to waste the court's time.' Akil had earlier been charged with two offences under the Poisons Act for possessing and selling etomidate, a classified poison increasingly detected in vapes. After midnight on Dec 11, 2024, Akil allegedly sold 100 vape pods outside the same HDB flat. These vape pods contained 150ml of liquid, which was analysed and found to contain etomidate, according to charge sheets. Around 5.30am that day at the same location, Akil was allegedly found with 26.4g of white powder, which also contained etomidate. Kpods are a growing cause for concern here. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs said in a joint statement on July 12 that vaping is a serious issue, noting that etomidate may cause adverse effects such as seizures and psychosis. Used in hospitals to induce sedation during medical procedures, etomidate is meant to be injected into the veins under clinical supervision and is never intended to be inhaled. When vaped, it enters the lungs directly and may trigger spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis. The ministries said they were looking at tightening the laws around vaping after the increased detection of vapes containing etomidate and other controlled drugs. ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13 to raise awareness about the issue in Singapore. Members of the public have since spoken up about how Kpods have destroyed their families, harmed their children and even taken their loved ones' lives. Akil faces one more charge under the Passports Act for making a false statement to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority while applying for a new Singapore passport. He allegedly lied on Jan 20 that he forgot his bag – which contained his NRIC and passport – at a coffee shop, and that his passport was not returned to him. Akil, who has been in remand since June 20, is slated to plead guilty on July 23. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
Online Citizen
18-07-2025
- Online Citizen
Singapore man charged for allegedly making drug-laced vapes at home in first local case
SINGAPORE: A 41-year-old man who allegedly manufactured drug-laced electronic vaporisers in his Yishun flat has been charged in what is believed to be the first case of its kind in Singapore. 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.
New Paper
17-07-2025
- New Paper
Man charged for manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home
A man who allegedly made drug-laced vapes, or Kpods, at home was charged on July 17. Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim's case is believed to be the first of its kind in Singapore. The Singaporean, 41, was handed five charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. On Dec 11, 2024, Akil was found with vapes and various related components in an HDB flat at Block 269B Yishun Street 22. This included 569 pieces of empty pod casings, 534 pieces of pod components, 1,485 pieces of pod covers and 100 loose e-vaporiser pods, among other items, according to charge sheets. The Straits Times understands Akil was manufacturing DIY Kpods at home with these items. A Health Sciences Authority (HSA) prosecutor said in court that they were ready with a plea offer for him. Akil, who attended court via video-link, said he understood his charges and wanted to plead guilty to all of them. He said he did not want to hire a lawyer, adding: "I don't want to waste the court's time." Akil had earlier been charged with two offences under the Poisons Act for possessing and selling etomidate, a classified poison increasingly detected in vapes. After midnight on Dec 11, 2024, Akil allegedly sold 100 vape pods outside the same HDB flat. These vape pods contained 150ml of liquid, which was analysed and found to contain etomidate, according to charge sheets. Around 5.30am that day and at the same location, Akil was allegedly found with 26.4 grams of white powder which had etomidate. Kpods are a growing cause for concern here. The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on July 12 in a joint statement that vaping is a serious issue, noting that etomidate may cause adverse effects like seizures and psychosis. Used in hospitals to induce sedation during medical procedures, etomidate is meant to be injected into the veins under clinical supervision and never intended to be inhaled. When vaped, it enters the lungs directly and may trigger spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and even psychosis. The ministries said they were looking at tightening the laws around vaping after the increased detection of vapes containing etomidate and other controlled drugs. ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13 to raise awareness about the issue in Singapore. Members of the public have since spoken up about how Kpods have destroyed their family, harmed their children and even taken their loved ones' lives. Akil faces one more charge under the Passports Act for making a false statement to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority while applying for a new Singapore passport. He had allegedly lied on Jan 20 that he forgot his bag, which contained his NRIC and passport, at a coffeeshop, and that his passport was not returned to him. Akil, who has been remanded since June 20, is slated to plead guilty on July 23. To report vaping offences and the sale of vaping devices to the authorities, the public can contact HSA's Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays.
New Paper
09-05-2025
- New Paper
Two arrested after video of brutal assault goes viral on Facebook; machetes, axe seized by police
A man and a woman have been arrested for their suspected involvement in a case of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and drug consumption. The police said late on May 7 they were alerted to a social media post of a video showing two men engaging in a transaction. After a plastic bag with unknown content was handed over, one of the men viciously assaulted the other, said the police. The video, which was posted on Facebook on May 6, has since garnered 1.4 million views and around 7,000 shares. The police said officers from Central Police Division and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) investigated the incident. With the help of the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and Singapore Prison Service (SPS), the victim, the male assailant, 31, and the woman, 35, were identified. The police said the woman was allegedly responsible for recording the assault. Officers from the police and CNB conducted a raid at Sengkang West Way and arrested the couple for voluntarily causing grievous hurt with common intention and suspected drug consumption. The man was arrested for possessing scheduled weapons. Two machetes, an axe, a baseball bat, three mobile phones, cash worth more than $3,000, 14 e-vaporisers and more than 450 vape-related components were also seized. In the video, the victim in a yellow shirt had handed over a white plastic bag to the man, dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. After some money is exchanged between them, the man in the long-sleeved shirt suddenly punches the victim. He continues raining punches on him as he falls to the ground, with blood smeared on his face. "The police and CNB have zero tolerance towards such brazen acts of violence and blatant disregard of the law. We will not hesitate to act against those who do so and will deal with them severely in accordance with the law," said the authorities. Those convicted under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components can be fined up to $10,000, and jailed for up to six months or both for the first offence. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $20,000, or jailed for up to 12 months, or both.
The Star
08-05-2025
- The Star
Two arrested after video of brutal assault in Singapore goes viral on Facebook; machetes, axe seized by police
Police were alerted to a social media video showing two men engaging in a transaction before one man rains punches on the other. - Screenshot: Kok Keong Steven Tan/Facebook SINGAPORE: A man and a woman have been arrested for their suspected involvement in a case of voluntarily causing grievous hurt and drug consumption. The police said late on Wednesday (May 7) that they were alerted to a social media post featuring a video showing two men engaging in a transaction. After a plastic bag with unknown content was handed over, one of the men viciously assaulted the other, the police said. The video, posted on Facebook on May 6, has since garnered 1.4 million views and around 7,000 shares. The police said officers from the Central Police Division and Criminal Investigation Department investigated the incident. With the help of the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and Singapore Prison Service, the victim, the male assailant, 31, and the woman, 35, were identified. The police said the woman was allegedly responsible for recording the assault. Officers from the police and CNB conducted a raid at Sengkang West Way and arrested the couple for voluntarily causing grievous hurt with common intention and suspected drug consumption. The man was arrested for possessing scheduled weapons. Two machetes, an axe, a baseball bat, three mobile phones, cash worth more than S$3,000, 14 e-vaporisers and more than 450 vape-related components were also seized. In the video, the victim in a yellow shirt hands over a white plastic bag to the man, dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and jeans. After some money is exchanged between them, the man in the long-sleeved shirt suddenly punches the victim. He continues to rain punches on him as he falls to the ground, with blood smeared on his face. 'The police and CNB have zero tolerance towards such brazen acts of violence and blatant disregard of the law. We will not hesitate to act against those who do so and will deal with them severely in accordance with the law,' the authorities said. Those convicted under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act for importing, distributing, selling or offering for sale e-vaporisers and their components can be fined up to S$10,000 and jailed for up to six months, or both, for the first offence. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $20,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both. - The Straits Times/ANN
