HSA Intensifies Crackdown on Vapes, Nabs Suspect Trying to Flee

Driver Among Young Suspected Kpod Peddlers Nabbed in Bishan and Yishun

- Andrew Wong

The ongoing crackdown on e-vaporizers turned dramatic on July 10 when an enforcement officer dived into a moving car to stop a suspected peddler from escaping.

The scene played out in Bishan Street 13, when the alleged pusher tried to flee during an operation by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).

As HSA officers moved in to surround the car, the driver revved his engine and tried to speed away.

One officer opened the left front door and jumped in, which forced the driver to stop about 50m away.

The Straits Times, posing as an interested buyer online, had contacted four sellers who were offering e-vaporizers and etomidate-laced pods, or Kpods, on social media platforms including Telegram.

Kpods are vapes that contain vape juice mixed with potent ingredients such as etomidate or ketamine.

Etomidate is currently classified as a poison under the Poisons Act. This means a licence is required for its importation or sale. Under the Act, those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years, fined up to $10,000, or both.