Over 280 vapes seized in islandwide raids at nightspots

More than 280 e-vaporisers have been seized after the authorities raided pubs, bars and KTV lounges islandwide on Aug 15.

- Andrew Wong

In all, more than 640 people were checked by officers from the Singapore Police Force, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and other agencies, including the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

HSA said on Aug 16 that it will be working with the Singapore Nightlife Business Association (SNBA) to remind patrons to report vaping activities to the authorities.

In that statement, HSA said that of the 640 people checked during raids a day earlier, 115 people aged 17 to 61 were caught for vape-related offences.

They included five who were caught with suspected etomidate vapes, or Kpods.

HSA said eight vape pods suspected to contain etomidate were confiscated.

The Aug 15 raids came a day after the Ministry of Health (MOH) and HSA said more than 100 people were being investigated for vape offences, amid an intensified crackdown against Kpods.

The media was invited to witness the raids at a club and karaoke lounge along Coleman Street, off North Bridge Road.

CNB officers were also spotted conducting their own investigations. There were five officers, including one who was holding a metal briefcase, but they did not speak to the media.

After patrons were rounded up at the first outlet, a man and a woman who were suspected Kpod users were separated and questioned by HSA officers in different rooms.

Both were silent when the media arrived and turned away from the cameras.