A 41-year-old man in Singapore has been charged for allegedly making illegal e-vaporiser pods, also known as “kpods”, using a powerful medical drug called etomidate, and he was doing it all from the comfort of his own home.
This case is a big deal because it’s the first time the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has seen kpods being made like this in Singapore.
The man, Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim, was charged in court on Thursday, July 17, for manufacturing these kpods.
He also faces five other charges for possessing illegal e-vaporisers, pods, and other banned components.
All of this came to light after authorities raided an HDB flat at Block 296B Yishun Street 22 on December 11, 2024. There, they found a huge stash of items, including:
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569 empty vape pod casings
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1,485 pod covers
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100 loose vape pods
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Several disposable vapes
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And 26.4 grams of a suspicious white powder
That powder was later confirmed to contain etomidate, the same drug used in hospitals to sedate patients before surgery. It is not meant for casual use, and definitely not for smoking.
Turns out, Akil was already in trouble for selling and possessing etomidate under the Poisons Act. On the same day of the raid, he allegedly sold 100 etomidate-filled kpods just after midnight, right outside the same Yishun flat. Later that morning, around 5.30am, he was found with the white powder in his possession.
He now plans to plead guilty.
The HSA is warning the public that etomidate is not safe for recreational use. It can cause serious side effects such as:
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Nausea and vomiting
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Muscle twitching or spasms
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Irregular breathing and blood pressure
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In severe cases, seizures or even psychosis
As of June 30 this year, the HSA has already seen 28 cases involving etomidate in Singapore.
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) says it is actively monitoring the illegal manufacturing and sale of such dangerous products and will take firm action to protect public safety.
