SINGAPORE – Twelve Singaporeans believed to be part of a vape syndicate, which imported and distributed vapes from Malaysia to Singapore, were arrested on Oct 16 and charged in court on Oct 18.
The police and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) seized more than 64,000 vapes and components worth more than $560,000 in total during raids on the syndicate, marking it as one of the largest hauls of vapes so far in 2025.
The suspects, 11 men and one woman aged between 25 and 35, were allegedly involved in supplying vapes to residents in Singapore, said the police and HSA in a joint statement in the early hours of Oct 18.
Four of the men – Teo Jin Rui, 28, Adrian Chia Hong Qing, 32, Ng Tai Lun, 27, and Wong Ee Wei, 28 – were charged with engaging in a conspiracy to possess 12,364 vapes for sale at a landed property along Lentor Lane.
The remaining eight persons – Kenneth Tan Hong Chang, 30, Cheong Tian Lin, 25, Tan Boon Hao, 30, Roy Tan Jun Jie, 33, Tan Yi Tan, 30, Nigel Khing Yao Zhi, 27, Feelix Teo Wang Chye, 29, and Tiffany Lim Hui Peng, 29 – were given one charge each for possessing vapes for sale.
In particular, Kenneth Tan Hong Chang was said to have possessed for sale 4,573 vapes at The Commodore condominium in Canberra Drive.
On Oct 16, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Intelligence Department and Special Operations Command mounted an operation at a carpark near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, where the syndicate members were gathered and distributing vapes.
The police and HSA seized more than 64,000 vapes and components worth more than $560,000 during raids on the syndicate, one of the largest hauls of vapes so far in 2025.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
Subsequently, the authorities conducted raids in Upper Jurong Road, Canberra Drive and Jalan Sendudok in Sembawang, including at two storage locations used by the syndicate.
Pictures of the raids show rooms with cardboard boxes stacked almost to the ceiling, as well as storage shelves filled to the brim with vapes and components.
Besides the haul of illicit products, the police seized more than $16,000 in cash, mobile phones, SIM cards and eight cars which were purportedly used for distributing vapes.
The accused persons are all currently remanded. Their cases will be heard again on Oct 23.
If convicted, the suspects each face fines of up to $10,000, jail of up to six months, or both. If this is their second offence, they could be fined up to $20,000, jailed for up to 12 months, or both.
This operation follows increased efforts taken by the Government against vaping since Sept 1, which includes
doubling the number of front-line officers to take action
against vape offences, and imposing stiffer penalties.
These include vape abusers having to face increased fines of $500 for those under 18 and $700 for adults, up from $300 and $500 previously. Those caught using vapes laced with etomidate, also known as Kpods, will also be sent for mandatory rehabilitation.
