The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) has launched its first big raid against a syndicate dealing in etomidate-laced e-vaporisers, also known as “zombie vapes.”
On Wednesday (Sep 10), CNB officers arrested eight Singaporeans, seven men and one woman, for suspected drug offences.
More than 400 pods believed to contain etomidate were seized, along with vape-related products and cash in different currencies, including over S$20,000, RMB498 and RM5,800.
In the early evening, officers arrested two men aged 26 and 28 at the void deck of a block in Telok Blangah Rise. Both men resisted arrest and had to be subdued. The 26-year-old was carrying 68 pods, while the 28-year-old had five pods. Checks suggest they were in the middle of a deal when caught.
The pair were later brought to a unit in the same block, where another 26-year-old man was arrested. Shortly after, a 23-year-old man was also caught outside the unit. Inside the flat, officers found 327 more pods and other vaping items.
On the same evening, two more men, aged 29 and 32, were arrested in Hougang Avenue 9. From their home, CNB recovered several vape-related items and cash in Singapore dollars, yuan and ringgit.
At Boon Lay Drive, a 23-year-old man was caught in his flat, where officers seized five pods. Outside the flat, an 18-year-old woman was also arrested. She was carrying vape-related items, including one pod with suspected etomidate. Investigations showed she had gone there to collect pods from the man.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ng Khai Song, Director of CNB’s Intelligence Division, said this was CNB’s first major operation against an etomidate vape syndicate since the substance was classified as a Class C controlled drug on September 1.
“This operation shows CNB’s commitment to fighting controlled drugs, including harmful substances like etomidate. We will continue to monitor, work closely with other agencies, and send a clear message that such illegal activities will not be tolerated,” he said.
CNB also reminded that under the Misuse of Drugs Act, anyone caught importing, selling or distributing etomidate-laced vapes will face prosecution.
Investigations into the eight suspects are ongoing.
Raids at entertainment outlets: 26 people caught for vaping offences
According to Lianhe Zaobao, between August 29 and September 6, more than 160 police officers, together with CNB and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), carried out eight operations at entertainment outlets across Singapore.
Checks were done at 69 outlets, where over 500 people were screened. In total, 26 men aged 17 to 44 were found breaking vape laws, including possession of e-cigarettes. They were fined on the spot, and officers seized more than 30 vapes and accessories.
One 23-year-old man was also arrested for suspected drug use.
Jessica Teo, assistant group director at HSA’s Vigilance, Compliance and Enforcement Cluster, said that enforcement will be stepped up in hotspot areas, and agencies will continue to work closely together to tackle the vaping problem.
