SINGAPORE – A man driving from Malaysia to Singapore was caught at the Woodlands Checkpoint with over 3,000 etomidate-laced vape pods, valued at more than $205,000. <\/p>\n
Neo Yeow Siang also had in his possession more than 5,000 heatsticks\u00a0\u2013 tobacco products that are heated and not burned.<\/p>\n
The heatsticks had a total street value of $25,000.<\/p>\n
On Feb 25, the 45-year-old Singaporean was sentenced to a year and eight months\u2019 jail, and a fine of $4,000.<\/p>\n
He had pleaded guilty to one count each of importing the heatsticks and being in possession of the etomidate-laced vape pods.<\/p>\n
Health Sciences Authority (HSA) prosecutor Nur Afiqah told the court that etomidate is a hypnotic that has been approved only as an intravenous injection for the induction of general anaesthesia. <\/p>\n
It is not approved for use via inhalation.<\/p>\n
The prosecutor added: \u201cBased on case reports of patients using etomidate-infused e-cigarettes, etomidate inhalation can induce psychiatric symptoms, such as depressed mood, mood swings, and increased impulsivity, leading to suicide attempts and aggression.\u201d<\/p>\n
Investigations revealed that in February 2024, Neo\u2019s vehicle needed repairs, and he was introduced to one \u201cNick\u201d who owned a workshop in Johor Bahru called NK Motorsports.<\/p>\n
Nick then offered him a job to smuggle vape pods into Singapore. <\/p>\n
Neo accepted the offer as he needed money to clear his debts, which included repair costs owed to Nick. <\/p>\n
He was promised between RM900 (S$295) and RM1,500 for each completed delivery. <\/p>\n
Neo told investigators that he made 10 deliveries for Nick between September 2024 and March 2025.<\/p>\n
As part of the operation, Nick would notify him via WhatsApp when a job was available.<\/p>\n
Neo would then drive to NK Motorsports and park his vehicle there so that the prohibited items could be loaded into it. <\/p>\n
After that, Neo would import the items into Singapore and distribute them according to Nick\u2019s instructions.<\/p>\n
He later received payments either in cash or via fund transfers<\/p>\n
In total, he received around RM16,900 over his role in the operation.<\/p>\n
As for the heatsticks, Neo told investigators that he had collected them on behalf of his own friend known only as \u201cWilson\u201d, from one \u201cZhen Yu\u201d who operated a shop at KSL City Mall in Johor Bahru.<\/p>\n
Neo admitted that he had collected the heatsticks on Wilson\u2019s behalf on three to four occasions.<\/p>\n
Neo was driving a Singapore-registered vehicle from Malaysia to Singapore at around 4am on March 7, 2025, when Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers stopped it for a search.<\/p>\n
They found the vape pods and heatsticks, and the matter was referred to the HSA.<\/p>\n
After a laboratory analysis, the pods were found to contain etomidate.<\/p>\n
Neo was then charged in court in August 2025.<\/p>\n <\/a> Etomidate has been\u00a0<\/p>\n listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act <\/p>\n <\/a>(MDA) as a Class C drug since Sept 1, 2025, amid a surge in reports of young people using etomidate-laced vapes, also known as Kpods.<\/p>\n Drugs under the classification have lower potential for harm than Class A and Class B drugs but are still deemed dangerous enough to warrant strict control.<\/p>\n Other drugs classified under this category include the hypnotic drug Erimin-5 (nimetazepam).<\/p>\n The temporary provisions, which allow the authorities to introduce tougher penalties to deal with those who abuse and traffic etomidate, are slated to expire on Feb 28, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/picture><\/div>\n