Private-hire driver lured by promise of RM10,000 a month caught with 1,100 vapes.
A Malaysian private-hire driver who agreed to smuggle disposable vaporisers into Singapore for quick cash has been jailed, after officers at Woodlands Checkpoint uncovered more than $23,000 worth of illicit devices in his car.
Offer Of Easy Money Through Facebook Contact
Around mid January 2026, Malaysian private hire driver Suntharathasan Kanathasan, 31, picked up a passenger who introduced him to a man known as “David Roy” on Facebook. Through subsequent chats, he learnt of a smuggling job that could earn him up to RM10,000 a month by ferrying disposable vaporisers from Malaysia to Singapore, with RM1,000 promised for each successful trip. Despite knowing the items were illegal in Singapore, he accepted the work and completed two runs, earning a total of RM2,000 before his arrest.
Petrol Station Drop Off And Overnight Loading
Health Sciences Authority prosecutor Debra Ann Tan told the Singapore district court that the arrangement required Suntharathasan to park his vehicle at a Shell petrol station at Mutiara Rini in Johor at about 8 pm. He would hand the keys to the cashier and leave. At around 3.30 am the next day, he was instructed to return to collect the car, which would by then have been loaded with disposable vaporisers by unknown accomplices. The plan was designed to keep him away from the loading process and those physically handling the contraband.
Timing Entry To Exploit Busy Morning Rush
Under the instructions he received, Suntharathasan was told to enter Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint before 6.30 am, considered a busy time for border authorities. Once through immigration, he was to park the car at a designated carpark in Woodlands and leave it there for an unidentified person to retrieve the devices. After the illicit cargo was unloaded, “David Roy” would text him that the job was complete, allowing him to drive back to Malaysia and collect his payment. This method was repeated for his first two smuggling trips.
Checkpoint Inspection Uncovers 1,100 Vapes
At about 5.20 am on Jan 27, 2026, Suntharathasan drove from Malaysia towards Woodlands Checkpoint for what would have been his third run. Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority referred his car for further checks and inspected the boot. They found multiple boxes and packets that were later confirmed to contain 1,100 disposable vaporisers, worth more than $23,000 in total. He was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with importing prohibited tobacco related products into Singapore.
Jail Sentence Underscores Tough Stance On Vaping
On April 22, the court sentenced Suntharathasan to 14 weeks’ jail after he pleaded guilty to one charge of importing illicit goods. Singapore bans the sale, possession and use of e cigarettes and vaporisers, and authorities have repeatedly warned that smugglers face prosecution and possible forfeiture of their vehicles. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the case highlights how online contacts and ride hailing work can expose drivers to high risk smuggling offers, and underlines Singapore’s determination to keep vaping products out of its market as part of broader tobacco control efforts.
The jailing of Suntharathasan Kanathasan shows how quickly a promise of easy money from smuggling vape devices can lead to serious legal consequences in Singapore. For Indonesians and Singaporeans who travel or work across the Causeway, the case is a reminder that even seemingly small courier jobs involving banned products can trigger criminal charges, as border checks and public health rules around vaping remain tightly enforced on both sides of the strait.
Sources: Straits Times (2026)
Keywords: Suntharathasan Kanathasan, Disposable Vaporisers, Illicit Goods Import, David Roy Facebook Contact, RM1000 Per Trip, 14 Weeks Jail
