E-vaporiser Syndicate Crackdown: Suspected Key Syndicate Figure Charged After Being Nabbed in Singapore-wide Raids

On 10 October 2024, the Singapore Police Force (“SPF”) and Health Sciences Authority (“HSA”) mounted a joint operation targeting island-wide activities by a suspected e-vaporiser syndicate, resulting in the arrest of a 33-year-old man. The arrest was linked to an ongoing investigation of the seizure of e-vaporisers worth over $6.5 million by HSA.

2        The man is believed to be a key figure behind an e-vaporiser syndicate. Preliminary investigations indicate that he allegedly orchestrated the importation and distribution of e-vaporisers from Malaysia into Singapore and has been supplying to the local residents.

3        He was subsequently charged in court on 11 October 2024 for obstructing the course of justice, abetment of housebreaking, and abetment of cheating and dishonestly inducing a delivery of property under the Penal Code 1871. He was also charged for the import and distribution of e-vaporisers under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993. The case has been adjourned to 18 October 2024. He will be in remand during this period to assist SPF and HSA with their investigations.  

4        It is an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993. If convicted, offenders are liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offence. All prohibited tobacco items will be seized and confiscated.

5        The offence of obstructing, preventing, perverting, or defeating course of justice under Section 204A of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to seven years, or a fine, or both.

6        The offence of abetment of housebreaking under Section 451 read with Section  109 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to 10 years and a fine.

7        The offence of abetment of cheating and dishonestly inducing a delivery of property under Section 420 read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, or with fine, or both.

8        Members of the public who have information on the illegal possession, use, purchase, import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of e-vaporisers can contact HSA’s Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 during office hours (9:00am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday).

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
18 OCTOBER 2024

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Published: 18 Oct 2024

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