Man charged over distributing nearly 3 tonnes of vapes in one day in Bishan, Ubi Avenue 3
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Chong Jun Keong had allegedly distributed about 2,915kg of vapes in one day in Singapore.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: REUTERS
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE – A man who allegedly distributed nearly three tonnes of vaporisers in one day in Bishan and Ubi was handed two charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.
According to charge sheets, Chong Jun Keong, 21, a Malaysian, allegedly distributed the vaporisers, also known as vapes, on July 11.
At about 1.40pm, in an industrial building in Jalan Pemimpin in Bishan, Chong allegedly distributed 103 bags of vapes that weighed about 1,966kg in total.
About three hours later at 4.20pm, at another industrial building along Ubi Avenue 3, he is said to have distributed another 51 bags of vapes with a total weight of around 948kg.
Taken together, Chong had allegedly distributed about 2,915kg of vapes in one day.
Court documents on July 14 did not detail the chemical contents of the vapes or how he was arrested. Each charge Chong faces carries a maximum fine of $10,000, six months’ jail or both. He is out on $25,000 bail. His case will be mentioned again on Aug 11.
Chong’s case comes against the backdrop of a looming vape crisis in Singapore. The Health Sciences Authority seized $41 million worth of vapes from January 2024 to March 2025 – nearly fivefold the reported value seized from 2019 to end-2023, according to numbers compiled by The Straits Times.
ST launched its anti-vaping campaign, Vaping: The Invisible Crisis
The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs said in a joint statement on July 12 that they are looking at enhancing laws around vaping.
Both ministries described vaping as a serious issue, noting that etomidate, which is classified as a poison and regulated under the Poisons Act, may cause adverse effects like seizures and psychosis.
The statement added that enforcement agencies will be taking stern action against those who import, sell, distribute, possess, use or purchase e-vaporisers, particularly those laced with etomidate.
