S’poreans, PRs who use Kpods overseas will be dealt with as if offence was committed here

Singaporeans and permanent residents who use drug-laced vapes like Kpods overseas can still be prosecuted here.

- David Sun Crime Correspondent

The extraterritorial jurisdiction of the Misuse of Drugs Act means those who abuse drugs overseas will be dealt with as if that offence had been committed in Singapore.

Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Faishal Ibrahim told Parliament on Sept 22 that this applies to the abuse of etomidate, which has been listed as a Class C drug since Sept 1.

First-time etomidate abusers face a fine of $700 for those aged 18 and above, or $500 for those below 18. They will also be required to attend rehabilitation for up to six months.

Those caught a second time will have to undergo mandatory supervision for six months, which will include drug testing and rehabilitation.

Kpod abusers who are aged 16 and above, and caught for the third time or more will undergo a 12-month regime, which includes treatment in a drug rehabilitation centre followed by drug testing and supervision.

Those under 16 years old will face mandatory supervision and drug testing for a year.

The Parliament session on Sept 22 saw a lengthy discussion on vaping.

Associate Professor Faishal said that from Sept 15, 2024, to Sept 14, 2025, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority intercepted 76 attempts at large-scale smuggling of vapes at the checkpoints and 57 attempts through the postal channels.

More than 500,000 vapes and their components were seized in these cases, said Prof Faishal.

Of these, about 3,000 were found in inbound parcels.

On Sept 15, the authorities uncovered more than 18,400 vapes and 1,400 related components in a lorry at Tuas Checkpoint.