SINGAPORE \u2013 A motorist was at the Woodlands Checkpoint when the authorities found 20 e-cigarette pods and 6,200 \u201cHeetsticks\u201d \u2013 tobacco products that are heated and not burnt \u2013 in his car. <\/p>\n
On April 10, Singaporean Tan Wei Hao, 29, was ordered to spend a week behind bars after he pleaded guilty to importing the e-cigarette pods.<\/p>\n
A separate charge involving the Heetsticks was considered during his sentencing.<\/p>\n
Health Sciences Authority prosecutor Donn Praabu Dennis told the court that Tan drove to Malaysia at around 4am on April 28, 2024, to buy prohibited tobacco products.<\/p>\n
He met his supplier, known only as \u201cA\u201d, and bought a \u201csubstantial quantity\u201d of Heetsticks for around RM3,000 (S$861, according to court documents).<\/p>\n
After completing this transaction, Tan spotted a nearby pop-up stall selling vaporisers and pods.<\/p>\n
He then used an undisclosed amount of money to buy 20 e-cigarette pods, and concealed all these items in the spare tyre compartment of his vehicle.<\/p>\n
The prosecutor said: \u201cThe accused stated that he had purchased the 20 e-cigarette pods from the pop-up stall for his personal consumption and not for any commercial purpose or resale.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe accused acknowledged that he was aware these items were prohibited in Singapore but proceeded with the purchase (anyway).\u201d<\/p>\n
Tan later drove towards Singapore and was at the Woodlands Checkpoint at around 6am when officers from the Immigration\u00a0and Checkpoints Authority conducted a check on him.<\/p>\n
They uncovered the illegal items, and he was later charged in court in 2025.<\/p>\n