Latest news with #Kpods
AsiaOne
6 hours ago
- AsiaOne
'Please don't believe it': Hougang resident harassed for 2 years after address mistaken as Kpods pickup point, Singapore News
A Hougang resident is upset after his address was falsely used as a pickup location for contraband items, including vape devices, accessories and 'Kpod' drug vaporisers. This comes after his home was allegedly listed online as a location for free giveaways. The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that he has been harassed by this issue for the past two years, reported Shin Min Daily News. This started when a website called "Our Vape Store", which claimed to sell Kpods, had reportedly directed customers to pick up their orders at his unit, located at Block 251, Hougang Avenue 3. The website allegedly features a range of e-cigarette cartridges, priced between $50 and $210, and provides island-wide delivery for an additional $15, reported Shin Min. His address was also reportedly listed on Telegram by sellers marketing vape devices and 'Kpod' drug vaporisers. The frustrated resident disclosed that strangers have come to his door as late as 3 or 4am, asking about their goods. He then resorted to installing a CCTV camera near his unit, so that he can immediately call the police whenever he spots a stranger waiting outside his home. He said that he still has no idea who is behind the prank, despite informing the police multiple times. There's now a notice pasted outside his door, informing members of the public that his address had been misused by scammers and urging them not to believe the claims about free gifts, reported Shin Min. "Scammers used my home address to harass us. Please don't believe it, we have already reported it to the police," the notice stated, adding that anyone who had fallen victim to the scam should report the incident to the authorities. The resident also said that scammers had previously set up multiple Facebook groups, claiming that free items were available for pickup at his unit. Man charged for making Kpods On July 17, a man was charged for allegedly making drug-laced vapes, or Kpods, at home with the intent to sell. The Singaporean, who faces a total of eight charges, including two for selling and possessing etomidate with intent to sell under the Poisons Act, is scheduled to appear in court on August 11. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20, that the authorities are working to list etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which would treat abusers and traffickers of Kpods to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs, reported The Straits Times. Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, purchase, possession and use of e-vaporisers are prohibited, including purchases made through the internet and from overseas. Offenders can be fined up to $2,000, and those possessing or using pods containing etomidate can face a maximum penalty of imprisonment for up to 2 years and a fine of up to $10,000 under the Poisons Act. [[nid:719505]]
Singapore Law Watch
a day ago
- Singapore Law Watch
Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes
Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes Source: Straits Times Article Date: 24 Jul 2025 Author: Samuel Devaraj The court has directed the Health Sciences Authority to provide more information for sentencing, including a profile of end users. In the first prosecution involving etomidate-laced vapes, known as Kpods, the court has directed the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to provide more information for sentencing, including a profile of end users. Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim, 41, who is alleged to have made the Kpods at home with the intent to sell them, had been expected to plead guilty on July 23. The Singaporean, who is facing a total of eight charges, including two for selling and possession to sell etomidate under the Poisons Act in Yishun, is now scheduled to do so on Aug 11 after the case was adjourned for the prosecution to flesh out its sentencing submissions. In court on July 23, Deputy Principal District Judge Ong Chin Rhu noted that the prosecution had furnished a skeletal sentencing submission. She added that, given the novelty of the case and the fact that there are no precedents for the possession for sale of etomidate under the Poisons Act, time should be given for the prosecution to furnish a full version. This would include case law for a case of this nature, Judge Ong said. Apart from the profile of end users, she also asked for statistics on the rise of vapes containing etomidate in Singapore, which she said would better inform the court about their prevalence. She also asked for information about the effects of inhaling etomidate, noting that the prosecution had provided information on the consequences of its intravenous use. Etomidate is an anaesthetic agent used in clinical practice to induce sedation and is controlled under the Poisons Act. In a recent seizure of over 100 vapes, a third was found to contain etomidate. One of Akil's charges involved the possession for sale of 26.4g of white powder, which was analysed and found to contain etomidate. Judge Ong asked the prosecution about the significance of this amount of the substance. 'Is that a lot in the grand scheme of things,' she asked, in wanting to know how many vapes could be manufactured with this amount. The HSA prosecutor said the agency is proceeding on three of the seven charges under its purview and seeking between 12 and 15 months' jail for Akil. HSA is asking for eight to 10 months' jail for the charge involving the 26.4g white powder and four to five months' jail for a charge involving the possession for the purpose of sale of 2,588 components of items designed to resemble tobacco products. These included 569 pieces of empty pod casings, 534 pieces of pod components and 1,485 pieces of pod covers. The recommended sentences are to run consecutively, with two to three months' jail proposed for a third charge of selling 100 vape pods containing etomidate to run concurrently. Akil's eighth charge is under the Passports Act for making a false statement to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) 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. An ICA prosecutor said it would be seeking six to eight weeks' jail for the offence, which will run consecutively with HSA's proposed sentences. Akil maintained his wish to plead guilty, noting he did not want to waste anyone's time and wanted the matter to end so he could move on with his life. Questioning the prosecution's labelling of him as a flight risk, he said he had no intention of absconding and has two children and an ageing mother. He has been offered $20,000 bail, of which $5,000 needs to be in cash. Lowering the cash component would allow him to be released from remand so he can help his son prepare for his Primary School Leaving Examination, he said. The prosecution said it would not be seeking a variance in his bail amount. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20 that the authorities are working to list etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act, paving the way for abusers and traffickers of Kpods to be treated in the same way as those who abuse or traffic drugs like nimetazepam, also known as Erimin-5, with mandatory rehabilitation and jail time for repeat offenders. Those who need help to quit vaping can join the Health Promotion Board's I Quit programme by calling the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000. Participants need not worry about being prosecuted, as it does not presume they are using or have used vaping products. But those caught using or possessing such items will be prosecuted. From July 21, HSA has extended the operating hours for its hotline to report vaping-related offences. The hotline now operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. HSA has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at [email protected] Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Trump to visit Federal Reserve on July 24, White House says
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Mr Trump's visit represents an acceleration of the pressure he and his advisers have put on Mr Powell and the bank. WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump, a strong critic of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, will visit the central bank on July 24, the White House said. Mr Trump has lambasted Mr Powell repeatedly for not cutting US interest rates more aggressively, referring to him as a 'numbskull' on July 22 and musing publicly about firing him. The White House said on July 23 in a schedule it released to the media that Mr Trump would visit the Federal Reserve at 4pm local time on July 24. The schedule did not say whether Mr Trump would be meeting with Mr Powell. A Federal Reserve official did not immediately respond to a request for comment. White House deputy chief of staff James Blair said earlier this week that administration officials would be visiting the Fed on July 24 but did not say the president would join. Mr Trump's visit represents an acceleration of the pressure he and his advisers have put on Mr Powell and the bank, traditionally viewed as an independent institution. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Thai and Cambodia militaries clash at disputed border World Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports Opinion The US dollar is down, but it has a lot going for it Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes Singapore Singapore Oceanarium will enhance tourism while supporting sustainability: Grace Fu Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt Singapore Over 1.15 million Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 have claimed SG60 vouchers Opinion Cinemas struggle in a world that cannot sit still
Straits Times
a day ago
- Climate
- Straits Times
Severe floods triggered by storm Wipha kill at least 3 in Vietnam's Nghe An
Find out what's new on ST website and app. HANOI - Heavy rains triggered by tropical storm Wipha have caused severe flooding in the central Vietnamese province of Nghe An, killing at least three people and leaving one more missing. With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to typhoons that often cause deadly floods and mudslides. Wipha is the first major storm to hit the country this year. Wipha made landfall in Vietnam on Tuesday, after battering Hong Kong and China and worsening monsoon rains and flooding in the Philippines. One of the victims was buried by a landslide while another was washed away by a strong current, reported the Kinh Te Moi Truong newspaper, citing information from the People's Committee of Nghe An. More than 3,700 houses in the province have been inundated by flood waters, and another 459 were damaged by strong winds, according to the report. Photos on state media show homes in villages in the province submerged to the roofs. "Our rice, our clothing and our money are all gone," Dang Thi Ngoc, a local flood victim, told state broadcaster VTV. "We have nothing left except for our bare hands." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Thai and Cambodia militaries clash at disputed border World Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports Opinion The US dollar is down, but it has a lot going for it Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes Singapore Singapore Oceanarium will enhance tourism while supporting sustainability: Grace Fu Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt Singapore Over 1.15 million Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 have claimed SG60 vouchers Opinion Cinemas struggle in a world that cannot sit still Flood waters have also damaged 1,600 hectares of rice plantations and 1,290 hectares of cash crops in the province, the report said. The government's weather forecast agency said heavy rains reaching up to 250 millimetres are expected on Thursday and Friday and could last until Saturday in several parts of northern Vietnam, potentially causing more flooding. REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
China's President Xi to meet EU chiefs Von der Leyen, Costa in Beijing
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Ahead of the meeting, China's state news agency in a commentary appeared to downplay the country's rivalry with the European Union bloc. BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa at a key summit in Beijing on July 24. Ahead of the meeting, China's state news agency in a commentary appeared to downplay the country's rivalry with the European Union bloc. The summit, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the EU and China, will be dominated by trade tensions over electric vehicles, market access and Chinese industrial overcapacity. "As the international landscape grows increasingly fraught, the anniversary offers a timely reminder: China is a critical partner to Europe, not a systemic rival," Xinhua wrote, underscoring the conciliatory tone China appeared to be willing to take during the summit if the EU corresponded. Xinhua said the distinction between partner and rival mattered, pointing out common interests including trade, climate, and global governance. "These areas of common ground should not be eclipsed by isolated points of friction," it said. Expectations for the summit are low after weeks of escalating tensions over tit-for-tat trade disputes, hawkish rhetoric from EU leaders and wrangling over the format of the summit, which was abruptly shortened from two days to one at Beijing's request. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Thai and Cambodia militaries clash at disputed border World Trump was told he is in Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports Opinion The US dollar is down, but it has a lot going for it Singapore Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes Singapore Singapore Oceanarium will enhance tourism while supporting sustainability: Grace Fu Singapore 5 teens arrested for threatening boy with knife, 2 charged with causing hurt Singapore Over 1.15 million Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 have claimed SG60 vouchers Opinion Cinemas struggle in a world that cannot sit still "Like all major economic players, China and the EU do not agree on everything. But disagreement does not equal confrontation," Xinhua said, adding that the relationship needs more trust. REUTERS
