4 young men arrested for bringing vapes into Singapore
The estimated street value of the seized e-vaporisers and components is estimated to be more than $200.
PHOTO: Health Sciences Authority
PUBLISHED ONDecember 29, 2023 9:31 AMByChin Hui Shan
SINGAPORE – Four men aged between 16 and 24 were detained for their suspected involvement in importing electronic vaporisers into Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint.
The Singaporeans currently are being investigated, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a joint statement on Dec 28.
On Dec 21, ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint profiled and directed an arriving Singapore-registered car for secondary checks.
During inspection, officers found 25 pieces of e-vaporisers and related components hidden below the driver’s and passenger’s seats, within a bag of food and within the clothing of one of the men.
The estimated street value of the seized e-vaporisers and components is estimated to be more than $200, the statement said. The seized items and the men were later referred to HSA.
HSA’s investigations revealed that the men had bought the e-vaporisers and related components from a shopping mall in Johor Bahru and tried to enter Singapore using a car rented from a car-sharing platform.
It reminded the public that it is an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components.
First-time offenders may be fined up to $10,000, jailed for up to six months, or both. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $20,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both.
All prohibited tobacco items will also be seized and confiscated.
The possession, use or purchase of e-vaporisers is illegal and carries a maximum fine of $2,000.
On Nov 27, an 18-year-old was arrested after he was caught trying to sell an e-vaporiser to a 13-year-old boy at a playground in Toa Payoh.
In September, The Straits Times reported that 18 people were convicted between April and August for selling e-vaporisers and related components, with total fines levied against them amounting to $153,000.
The public can visit the HSA website for information about prohibited tobacco products in Singapore, or HealthHub for details about the harm of e-vaporisers.
Those who have information on the illegal import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of e-vaporisers can contact HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 during office hours.
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.