3 people, including 17-year-old girl, charged with alleged trafficking of etomidate vape pods
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Those found guilty of importing, selling and distributing etomidate vapes will face stiff penalties, the HSA said.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
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SINGAPORE – Three people, including a teenager, were charged by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Oct 4 with the alleged trafficking of etomidate e-vaporiser pods.
Following HSA’s investigation into a suspected male etomidate abuser on Oct 2, HSA officers tracked down two of his alleged suppliers – 23-year-old Vernette Heng Cui Teng and a 17-year-old female – the agency said in a statement on Oct 4.
A total of 64 vapes and related components suspected to contain etomidate were seized from Heng’s residence. There were 16 such objects seized from the teenager’s residence.
Further investigations led HSA officers to 27-year-old Amir Shah, who allegedly supplied etomidate pods to the teenager and another female etomidate abuser via the Telegram messaging app. Four vapes and related components suspected to contain etomidate were seized from his residence.
The seized pods are being tested for etomidate and investigations are ongoing. The two etomidate abusers were fined on the spot and will be required to attend rehabilitation if their vapes contain the substance.
Those found guilty of importing, selling and distributing etomidate vapes will face stiff penalties, the HSA said. This includes three to 20 years’ imprisonment and five to 15 strokes of the cane for imports, and two to 10 years’ imprisonment and two to five strokes of the cane for sellers and distributors.
Those who want to quit vaping can sign up for the QuitVape programme ( gov.sg/quitvape
