filmed by The Straits Times attempting to drive off from a raid<\/span><\/a> in Bishan in July 2025 was sentenced to 16 months and five weeks\u2019 <\/i><\/b>jail on June 30.<\/p>\nJodan Chin Wei Liang, 28, pleaded guilty to possessing for sale 802 vape pods containing etomidate, and performing a rash act that could have injured Health Sciences Authority (HSA) officers.<\/p>\n
He was also given a driving disqualification of 18 months after his release from prison.<\/p>\n
The total street value of the vape pods Chin had was more than $56,000, with each pod worth around $70.<\/p>\n
In sentencing him, Deputy Principal District Judge Luke Tan noted that the vaping epidemic in Singapore was alarming.<\/p>\n
Chin was not represented in court, while the prosecution team involved prosecutors from the Attorney-General\u2019s Chambers, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, and HSA.<\/p>\n
In July 2025, ST posed as an interested buyer online and contacted four sellers who were offering vapes and etomidate-laced pods, also known as Kpods, on social media platforms.<\/p>\n
One seller responded within minutes, saying he could sell two Kpods for $140, including delivery.<\/p>\n
After a brief exchange of messages, an agreement was made to meet in Bishan.<\/p>\n
According to the facts of the case read out in court, Chin arrived in a grey car at Block 189 Bishan Street 13 on July 10, 2025, at around 4pm, while an HSA officer posing as the buyer approached him.<\/p>\n
When the officer identified himself as an enforcement agent, Chin panicked and drove off while five HSA officers were around his car.<\/p>\n
One officer near the front passenger door jumped into the vehicle to avoid getting hit, while another officer stepped out of its way. Chin stopped the car only when one of the officers grabbed his arm and told him to stop.<\/p>\n