17-year-old girl, two adults charged as authorities tighten crackdown on etomidate-laced vape trade
Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has charged a 17-year-old girl alongside two adults for trafficking Kpods — e-vaporiser pods suspected to contain the controlled drug etomidate — in a growing case that exposes the spread of illegal vape networks across the island.
Teen Among Three Charged for Kpod Trafficking
The HSA confirmed on Saturday (Oct 4) that three individuals, including a 17-year-old girl, were charged with trafficking Kpods. The teenager cannot be named under the Children and Young Persons Act. Her co-accused are 23-year-old Vernette Heng Cui Teng and 27-year-old Amir Shah s/o Anwar Shah. The three are accused of distributing Kpods — e-vaporiser pods containing the anaesthetic drug etomidate — through Telegram and direct sales.
Investigation Traces Supply Chain
Authorities said investigations began after HSA officers probed a male Kpod abuser on Oct 2, which led to the arrests of the two alleged female suppliers. Subsequent searches uncovered 16 vapes and related components from the 17-year-old’s Jurong West residence and 64 similar items from Heng’s Ang Mo Kio flat. Further investigations linked the supply source to Amir Shah, who allegedly distributed the pods to both women and another unnamed abuser online.
Specific Trafficking Charges Filed
Each suspect faces a single charge of trafficking etomidate pods. The 17-year-old was allegedly in possession of four Kpods for trafficking purposes, Heng was charged for having one Kpod, and Amir is accused of selling two pods for S$150 at Rangoon Road on Oct 2. All seized items are undergoing testing to confirm the presence of etomidate, a substance regulated for its potential to cause dependence and misuse.
Growing Pattern of Vape-Related Offences
This case follows closely after a 36-year-old man, Heng Yong Qin, was charged two days earlier for a separate Kpod trafficking offence. The man, who was previously jailed for reckless driving, was arrested after crashing a Mercedes near Khatib Polyclinic on Sept 30, injuring two elderly pedestrians. Police recovered 33 Kpods and one vape from his vehicle, adding to concerns about the rising intersection between drug abuse and dangerous behaviour.
Penalties and Enforcement Actions
Under the law, those convicted of trafficking Kpods face two to ten years’ imprisonment and two to five strokes of the cane, while importers face harsher penalties of up to 20 years in jail. The HSA said it “takes a serious view of such offences,” emphasizing that the illegal distribution of etomidate-laced vapes poses significant risks to public health and youth safety.
Case Adjourned, Teen Ordered to Stay in School
The 17-year-old’s case has been adjourned to Oct 13, while Heng and Amir’s cases will be heard on Oct 24. As part of her bail conditions, the teenager must continue attending school. Two other unnamed Kpod users linked to the investigation were fined on the spot and may be required to undergo rehabilitation if confirmed as substance abusers.
The arrests mark a growing crackdown on Singapore’s underground vape trade, as authorities move to curb the spread of Kpods and other unregulated substances targeting youth. The case underscores the challenges of balancing enforcement with rehabilitation in the face of evolving drug distribution methods.
Sources: Must Share News (2025) , CNA (2025)
Keywords: Kpods, HSA Singapore, Illegal Vape, Drug Trafficking, Etomidate, Youth Offence
