Latest news with #MohammedAkilAbdulRahim
Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Straits Times
Judge asks prosecution for more information on Kpods in first case involving etomidate-laced vapes
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was found with vapes and various related components in a Housing Board flat at Block 269B Yishun Street 22 on Dec 11, 2024. SINGAPORE – 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, was 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. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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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 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 has 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. Vaping - The invisible crisis. The Straits Times 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 also 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 stnewsdesk@
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.
The Star
18-07-2025
- The Star
Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore
Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was found with vapes and various related components in a Housing Board flat at Block 269B Yishun Street 22 on Dec 11, 2024. - HSA SINGAPORE: A man who allegedly made drug-laced vapes, or Kpods, at home was charged on Thursday (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. Akil, who attended court via video-link, said he understood the 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 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. 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. To report vaping offences and the sale of vaping devices to the authorities, the public can contact HSA's Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays. - The Straits Times/ANN
International Business Times
17-07-2025
- International Business Times
Singapore's First Case: 41-Year-Old Man Charged for Making DIY Kpods at Yishun Residence
A 41-year-old man who allegedly made drug-laced vapes, or Kpods, at home was charged on Thursday, July 17, in Singapore. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was manufacturing e-vaporizer pods containing etomidate at home with an intention to sell them. According to HSA, Akil's case is the first of its kind in Singapore. The Singaporean man was handed five charges for making these do-it-yourself Kpods under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. Last year, Akil was allegedly found with vapes and various related components in an HDB flat at Block 269B Yishun Street 22 on December 11. According to charge sheets, these included, among other things, 100 loose e-vaporizer pods, 1,485 pieces of pod covers, 569 pieces of empty pod casings, and 534 pieces of pod components. In court, an HSA prosecutor stated that the authorities were prepared to make him a plea deal. Akil, who appeared in court via video link, stated that he was aware of the charges and wished to enter a guilty plea to each one. However, he didn't t want to hire a lawyer, stating, "I don't want to waste the court's time," as reported by Straits Times. Akil was previously accused of two offenses under the Poisons Act for selling and possessing etomidate, a poison that is increasingly found in vape pens. On December 11, 2024, after midnight, Akil is accused of selling 100 vape pods outside the same HDB apartment. According to charge sheets, the 150 ml of liquid in these vape pods was analyzed and found to contain etomidate. Akil was allegedly discovered in possession of 26.4g of white powder, which also contained etomidate, at the same location at 5:30 am that day. Kpods are a growing cause for concern in Singapore. In a joint statement released on July 12, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that vaping is a serious problem and that etomidate may have negative side effects like psychosis and seizures. Etomidate, which is used in hospitals to make patients drowsy during medical procedures, is never meant to be inhaled; instead, it is meant to be injected into the veins under clinical supervision. It enters the lungs directly when vaped, which can cause seizures, breathing problems, spasms, and even psychosis. Following a rise in the number of vapes found to contain etomidate and other controlled substances, the ministries announced that they were considering stricter regulations regarding vaping. Akil is also charged under the Passports Act with lying to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority when he applied for a new Singaporean passport. On January 20, he allegedly made up the story that he had left his bag, which included his passport and NRIC, at a coffee shop and that his passport had not been given back. Akil is scheduled to enter a guilty plea on July 23. He has been under remand since June 20. The public can call HSA's Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036 or 6684-2037, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5:30 pm, to report vaping offenses and the sale of vaping devices to the authorities.
CNA
17-07-2025
- Health
- CNA
Man charged over manufacturing 'kpods' at home
SINGAPORE: A 41-year-old man has been charged over manufacturing "kpods" at home. Kpods are vapes laced with drugs, such as ketamine or etomidate. Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim was on Thursday (Jul 17) given five more charges, including the possession of e-vaporisers, or vapes, vape pods and other components. He was found on Dec 11, 2024, with hundreds of such items in a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat at Block 296B Yishun Street 22. These included 569 empty pod casings, 1,485 pod covers, 100 loose vape pods and disposable vapes. He had earlier been charged under the Poisons Act for selling and possessing etomidate. He allegedly sold 100 vape pods outside the same HDB flat just after midnight on Dec 11, 2024. These pods were later analysed and found to contain etomidate. At about 5.30am that same day, Akil was allegedly found with 26.4 grams of white powder that had etomidate. According to the court system, Akil intends to plead guilty. Earlier this year, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said it is closely monitoring the use of vapes to consume etomidate, a fast-acting anaesthetic used in medical procedures. As of Jun 30, HSA has detected 28 cases involving etomidate this year. Adverse effects of etomidate include nausea and vomiting, uncontrollable movement or spasm of muscles, changes to breathing and blood pressure, and seizures and psychosis that can endanger health. HSA warned that inhaling it directly into the lungs can cause side effects like spasms, breathing issues and seizures.
