Man caught with vapes hidden in car at Woodlands as authorities intensify anti-vape efforts
A Singaporean man who smuggled over 1,800 e-vaporisers and pods from Johor Bahru into Singapore has been sentenced to two weeks in jail, as the government ramps up enforcement against the growing vaping threat.
Woodlands Arrest Ends Vape Smuggling Streak
James Wong Jun Jie, 36, was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint on September 12, 2024, after officers found 1,818 illegal vaping products—1,086 pods and 732 e-vaporisers—hidden in his car’s boot and bonnet. This marked his second smuggling attempt, following an earlier successful trip two days prior.
Acting on tip-offs, authorities also raided Wong’s flat in Sin Ming Road later that night. There, they uncovered another 1,320 pods and 679 e-vaporisers, believed to be from his undetected run on September 10.
Paid RM600 Per Trip
Wong was recruited by a man known only as Raj, whom he met at Mid Valley Southkey Mall in Johor Bahru. Raj offered RM600 (S$181) per trip to smuggle vapes into Singapore. On each occasion, Wong parked his car at Mydin Mall in JB, leaving it unlocked so Raj’s associates could load the items.
He planned to complete delivery by parking the car at a lot in Woodlands, again unlocked, for collection. But the second attempt failed when Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers flagged his vehicle for checks.
Court Rejects Lighter Sentence
Wong pleaded guilty under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. Although he sought a community-based sentence, District Judge Wong Li Tein dismissed the appeal, citing the seriousness of vaping-related offences.
“The problem of vaping in Singapore is a serious one. So community-based sentences are not suitable,” she stated. Three additional charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.
Singapore’s Rising Vape Crisis
Wong’s case comes as Singapore faces a surge in vape-related offences. In May 2025, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Ministry of Health reported that nearly 18,000 people were caught for possessing or using e-vaporisers between January 2024 and March 2025.
During the same period, S$41 million worth of illegal vapes were seized — nearly five times the value seized from 2019 to end-2023. Prosecutions have intensified, with 27 offenders charged for non-payment of fines and 60 taken to court for selling banned devices.
Smugglers Face Stiff Penalties
In a separate case, two individuals — Ivan Sin and Toh Wee Leong — received the harshest penalties to date, each fined over S$14,000 and sentenced to 10 months in jail for their roles in a major smuggling syndicate worth over S$5 million.
Authorities also warned of a dangerous new trend: vapes containing etomidate, a sedative regulated under the Poisons Act, which can cause seizures, breathing difficulties, and psychosis if inhaled.
The sentencing of James Wong highlights the high risks smugglers face and underscores Singapore’s zero-tolerance stance on vaping. As enforcement tightens, both Indonesians and Singaporeans must recognise the growing legal and health consequences surrounding cross-border vape trade.
Sources: Malay Mail (2025) , Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Vape Smuggler, E-Vaporisers Seized, Singapore Vaping Ban, Tobacco Control Act, HSA Enforcement, JB To SG
