Malaysian man arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint for smuggling nearly 900 e-vaporisers

A Malaysian man was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint on 27 August 2025 after officers discovered more than 890 e-vaporisers and 6,700 related components hidden inside his van.

According to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the Malaysia-registered vehicle was declared to be carrying air-conditioning equipment and servicing parts. Officers, however, found the driver’s behaviour suspicious and directed the van for further inspection.

Upon closer checks, ICA officers uncovered boxes containing e-vaporisers concealed within the vehicle. Additional components were found stashed inside an air-conditioning unit and its associated parts.

Further searches revealed that more items had been hidden in multiple compartments of the van. The Police K-9 unit was deployed to assist in the search, which eventually uncovered the full haul.

The driver was immediately arrested, and the case was referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for further investigation.

ICA reiterates border vigilance

In a Facebook post on 28 August, ICA emphasised that border security remains a central pillar of Singapore’s enforcement strategy against the illegal importation of e-vaporisers and drug-laced devices.

The agency stated that its officers “remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding Singapore’s borders against all forms of smuggling attempts”. It added that cooperation between enforcement agencies has been key in recent successful operations.

Between April and June 2025, joint operations between ICA and HSA uncovered 19 major smuggling attempts, leading to the seizure of about 90,000 e-vaporisers and related items.

Just last week, authorities seized more than 850 devices at various checkpoints. On 5 August, ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint also foiled an attempt to smuggle 2,200 e-vaporisers and components hidden in the cabin and toolbox of a Malaysian-registered lorry.

Government stance on vaping

In his National Day Rally speech earlier this month, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong described vaping as a “drug issue” rather than merely a lifestyle or consumer concern.

He announced that new legislation would introduce tougher penalties for those caught selling or distributing vapes containing harmful substances.

Under existing laws, it is illegal to purchase, possess, or use vaping devices in Singapore, even if obtained online or overseas. Offenders can face fines of up to S$2,000.

Those convicted of importing, distributing, or selling vapes or related components may be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for up to six months, or both. Repeat offenders face doubled penalties.

Tougher penalties from September 2025

Additional measures apply to vapes containing controlled substances such as etomidate, a sedative sometimes found in Kpods. Offenders caught with such items may face fines of up to S$10,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.

From 1 September 2025, etomidate and its analogues will be officially classified as Class C drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The reclassification will criminalise possession, trafficking, or unauthorised use and introduce mandatory caning for traffickers.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, speaking earlier this month, confirmed that the update aims to enhance enforcement and reduce the abuse of drug-laced vaping products.

Broader enforcement strategy

Singapore has significantly increased enforcement efforts against vaping in recent months, reflecting growing concern about youth exposure and public health risks.

Authorities have stated that the coordinated approach between ICA, HSA, and the Police seeks not only to deter smuggling but also to target online networks facilitating illegal vape sales.

The latest arrest at Woodlands Checkpoint underscores the government’s zero-tolerance stance. Officials have reiterated that offenders—whether importers, sellers, or users—will face prosecution under the law.