SINGAPORE - A 38-year-old Singaporean man is currently assisting the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) with investigations, after a variety of contraband items were found in his possession.
A joint statement by HSA and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Wednesday (Nov 18) said a routine check had been conducted on a Singapore-registered car driven by the man at Woodlands Checkpoint on Tuesday at 2am.
ICA officers discovered five bundles of sleeping pills wrapped in newspaper that were hidden in the rear side panel of the car, while more pills were also found in the man's waist pouch.
The seized pills consisted of 5,000 midazolam tablets, 26 alprazolam tablets and 15 unknown white tablets.
ICA officers also confiscated an electronic cigarette and some accessories below the driver's seat.
Under the Medicines Act and Poisons Act, the import and supply of midazolam and alprazolam are required to be licensed by HSA.
Unlicensed dealers face a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years under the Poisons Act, while they can also be fined up to $5,000 and/or be jailed up to two years under the Medicines Act.
Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisement and Sales) Act, the import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of any article that is designed to resemble a tobacco product is prohibited. If convicted, the offender could be fined up to $5,000 for the first offence and up to $10,000 for the second or subsequent offence.
HSA has urged members of the public with information on such illegal activities to contact the organisation at 6866-3485 (for health products) or 6684-2036 (for tobacco and related products) during office hours on weekdays.
