Latest news with #etomidate
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
1 in 3 vapes here laced with etomidate; MOH working with MHA to list it as illegal drug: Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE - As an interim measure to tackle the vaping scourge in Singapore, the Health Ministry is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to list etomidate - a drug used in vapes - under the Misuse of Drugs Act, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20. He added that vapes seized by the authorities have shown that one in three vapes contain etomidate, a psychoactive substance that can cause hallucinations and organ damage. Listing etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act means those who possess, abuse or sell vapes with etomidate may soon be treated the same way as those found with drugs like cannabis. This will pave the way for harsher penalties for abusers, including mandatory rehabilitation, and jail time for repeat offenders. Etomidate's use is currently regulated under the Poisons Act, which carries lighter penalties for users. Speaking on the sidelines of the grand opening of a dog run in Sembawang on July 20, Mr Ong said the Ministry of Health is working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to do this in the coming weeks. The Health Sciences Authority will also be extending the hours for its reporting hotline. ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, on July 13. Mr Ong praised the initiative, saying it was a useful campaign to raise awareness. When ST launched the campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis, several Telegram channels selling vapes became significantly less active. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the vape scourge. Of particular concern is the rise of etomidate-laced vapes, also known as Kpods. Etomidate is a medicinal ingredient used in clinical practice as an anaesthetic agent and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. It was designed to be injected directly into the veins under clinical supervision and was never meant to be inhaled directly into the lungs. When vaped, it can trigger spasms, breathing difficulties, seizures and psychosis. Kpods have reportedly been pushed in Singapore by organised crime groups, with local authorities now intensifying crackdowns. Public healthcare institutions have also been told to record all Kpod cases. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000. Those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
Man nabbed in HSA Bishan operation charged with having over 800 K-pods for sale
SINGAPORE: A man said to be a deliveryman for illegal electronic vapouriser K-pods was charged in court on Friday (Jul 18) with possessing more than 800 of the pods containing vape juice for sale. Chin Wei Liang, Jodan, 27, was handed six charges - three for possessing K-pods or components for sale, and three of possessing such items. K-pods refer to pods that contain vape juice mixed with etomidate. They have been touted by online sellers to be undetectable in urine tests. Etomidate is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act and import and sale of the substance requires a licence. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) previously warned that inhaling the sedative directly into the lungs can cause side effects like spasms, breathing issues and seizures. Chin was arrested by HSA in an operation last week. According to his charges tendered on Friday, Chin is accused of possessing the following pods at about 3.50pm on Jul 10 near Block 189, Bishan Street 13: Two USDT assorted K-pods, grape flavoured, worth S$140 (US$109); 81 K-pods in different flavours; 114 pieces of USDT K-pods in assorted flavours; 53 pieces of Lucifer K-pods in assorted flavours; 65 pieces of Beta XL K-pods in different flavours; 63 pieces of "$" K-pods; 73 "Marbo" K-pods; 13 pieces of "VIP" K-pods and 341 pieces of "Zombie" K-pods. Chin also allegedly had 24 vapes without pods for sale. He is also accused of having the following in his own possession: Three vapes - one without pods; cartridges and related vape products, and a box containing 19 "Heetsticks" stated to be "harmful tobacco products". The prosecutor sought six weeks' adjournment for investigations to be completed. "In this case, there was quite a large number of what suspected to be K-pods seized from the accused. There's also likely to be further charges involved," he said. Asked if he was able to get a bailor, the unrepresented Chin said his cousin was in court with him. He will return to court in August. If convicted of possessing imitation tobacco products or components for sale under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, Chin could be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Malay Mail
Singapore's first DIY Kpod case: Yishun man charged over home-made drug-laced vapes
SINGAPORE, July 17 — A 41-year-old man believed to be the first in Singapore to manufacture drug-laced vape pods at home was charged today, The Straits Times reported. 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Kpod vapes, zombie kids: Why it's time to raise the alarm
Kpods, a street term for drug-laced e-vaporisers, has been much-talked about this week, with The Straits Times launching an anti-vape campaign on July 13. Recently, videos of vape users taken by the public have been surfacing online – in particular, of younger people – turning into 'zombies' and behaving erratically after using etomidate-laced vapes. Etomidate is an anaesthetic used in hospitals during medical procedures, and is classified as a poison under the Poisons Act, which strictly restricts its use to licensed medical professionals. Some parents have shared their stories about how their children have tried self-harm or attempted suicide while being high. Through reports, commentaries and first-person accounts, ST, along with parents, readers and health professionals, have sounded the alarm on the dangerous nature of Kpods. In this episode of The Usual Place Podcast, I chat with my colleague and seasoned crime reporter Zaihan Mohamed Yusof; Yio Chu Kang SMC MP Yip Hon Weng, who has raised multiple Parliamentary Questions on vaping over the past few years; and Narasimman Tivasiha Mani, the executive director of youth mental health charity Impart, who has encountered teens using Kpods. We will discuss the access to Kpods, what attracts young people to use them, and how Singapore can step up enforcement and awareness. Tune in at 12pm SGT/HKT to watch the livestream and take part in the discussion on our revamped YouTube channel. Follow The Usual Place Podcast live at noon every Thursday and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: Apple Podcasts: Spotify: YouTube: Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Singapore cracks down on drug-laced vapes; World Aquatics postpones race at Sentosa due to water quality: Singapore live news
Singapore is cracking down on criminal operations selling drug-laced vapes known as Kpods which is becoming an increasing problem across Asia. This includes weekly enforcement operations by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) as well as public healthcare institutions doing their part to record all suspected and confirmed etomidate-linked vaping cases. The women's open water 10km race at Sentosa was postponed this morning (15 July) by World Aquatics after water quality levels failed to meet "acceptable thresholds", organisers said. The race has been pushed until tomorrow (16 July) "in the utmost interest of athlete safety." Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates: Singapore has stepped up efforts to cripple criminal operations selling drug-laced vapes known as Kpods, which typically contain etomidate or ketamine. In one dramatic bust in Bishan Street 13, an officer from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) dived into a car to stop an alleged dealer from speeding away. Once the man was detained, officers searched his car and found several white envelopes containing Kpods. The envelopes with the Kpods were marked for delivery. In total, 28 vape devices and 814 vape pods were seized from the man's car. It is just one example of multiple HSA operations that happen in a week targeting the booming illegal trade in e-vaporisers. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime warned in a recent report that organised crime groups were pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia – including Singapore. The Straits Times also reported that public healthcare institutions have been told to record all suspected and confirmed etomidate-linked vaping cases. A race at the World Aquatics Championships was postponed just hours before it was due to start after water quality levels in Sentosa failed to meet "acceptable thresholds", it was announced by organisers. The women's open water 10km race at Sentosa was scheduled for 8am this morning (15 July) but has been pushed until tomorrow (16 July) "in the utmost interest of athlete safety." "While testing in recent days has consistently shown water quality at the venue to meet World Aquatics' acceptable thresholds, analysis of samples taken on 13 July surpassed these thresholds," read a statement from World Aquatics. "The decision to postpone racing was made in the best interests of athlete health and safety, which remains World Aquatics and the Singapore 2025 Organising Committee's top priority." It is unclear why tests on the water samples on 13 July exceeded quality thresholds Singapore has stepped up efforts to cripple criminal operations selling drug-laced vapes known as Kpods, which typically contain etomidate or ketamine. In one dramatic bust in Bishan Street 13, an officer from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) dived into a car to stop an alleged dealer from speeding away. Once the man was detained, officers searched his car and found several white envelopes containing Kpods. The envelopes with the Kpods were marked for delivery. In total, 28 vape devices and 814 vape pods were seized from the man's car. It is just one example of multiple HSA operations that happen in a week targeting the booming illegal trade in e-vaporisers. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime warned in a recent report that organised crime groups were pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia – including Singapore. The Straits Times also reported that public healthcare institutions have been told to record all suspected and confirmed etomidate-linked vaping cases. A race at the World Aquatics Championships was postponed just hours before it was due to start after water quality levels in Sentosa failed to meet "acceptable thresholds", it was announced by organisers. The women's open water 10km race at Sentosa was scheduled for 8am this morning (15 July) but has been pushed until tomorrow (16 July) "in the utmost interest of athlete safety." "While testing in recent days has consistently shown water quality at the venue to meet World Aquatics' acceptable thresholds, analysis of samples taken on 13 July surpassed these thresholds," read a statement from World Aquatics. "The decision to postpone racing was made in the best interests of athlete health and safety, which remains World Aquatics and the Singapore 2025 Organising Committee's top priority." It is unclear why tests on the water samples on 13 July exceeded quality thresholds
