Singapore Busts Illicit Vape Production; Suspect Charged with Five Offenses

Jul.18.2025
Singapore Busts Illicit Vape Production; Suspect Charged with Five Offenses
A 41-year-old man in Singapore has been charged with multiple offenses, including violations of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act and the Poisons Act, for allegedly manufacturing e-cigarettes containing the controlled substance etizolam at his residence.

Key points:

 

·A 41-year-old man in Singapore is facing charges for allegedly manufacturing e-cigarettes containing drugs. 

 

·He is accused of violating the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. Over a thousand e-cigarette components and a large quantity of empty pods were seized from him. 

 

·The man has expressed his intention to plead guilty and is scheduled to appear in court on July 23rd.

 


【2Firsts News Flash】According to a report by Malaymail on July 17, a 41-year-old man in Singapore is being accused of illegally manufacturing e-cigarettes containing drugs in his home. The defendant, Mohammed Akil Abdul Rahim, is facing five charges under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act for allegedly manufacturing e-cigarettes in a block of flats in Yishun.

 

The accusation documents show that on December 11, 2024, law enforcement officers found 569 empty pod casings, 534 components, 1,485 pod covers, and 100 electronic pods at his residence. These tools and materials are believed to be used in the manufacturing of Kpodspods laced with fentanyl, which has garnered increasing public concern.

 

The prosecutor from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in Singapore told the court that they have prepared a plea agreement for the case. The defendant appeared in court via video link and expressed willingness to plead guilty to all charges, and stated that he does not plan to hire a lawyer.

 

The man was previously charged under the Poisons Act for possession and sale of the controlled hospital-grade sedative, etomidate. It is alleged that he sold 100 electronic pods containing the substance at the same location just past midnight on December 11. He was found in possession of 26.4 grams of white powder testing positive for the substance at around 5:30am that same morning.

 

Propofol is commonly used for intravenous sedation in medical procedures, but if inhaled or ingested, it can lead to serious side effects including seizures, difficulty breathing, and confusion.

 

In addition, the defendant also faces charges under the Passport Act for falsely claiming to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority in January 2025 that he had lost his passport at a coffee shop. He has been in custody since June 20 and is expected to plead guilty on July 23.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

JAMA Issues First U.S. Clinical Guidance on Vaping for Smoking Cessation, Urging Complete Switch From Cigarettes
JAMA Issues First U.S. Clinical Guidance on Vaping for Smoking Cessation, Urging Complete Switch From Cigarettes
JAMA has published a Special Communication offering systematic recommendations for U.S.-based clinicians on the use of nicotine e-cigarettes in adult smoking cessation. Developed by the Harm Reduction Workgroup of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco’s Treatment Research Network, the paper recommends including e-cigarettes alongside FDA-approved cessation medications in risk-benefit discussions. It cites high-certainty evidence that nicotine e-cigarettes achieve higher quit rates than nicotine replacement therapy and evidence suggesting efficacy comparable to highly effective medications such as varenicline and cytisine. For adults who choose vaping to quit, the authors recommend FDA-authorized products, sufficient nicotine delivery and a rapid, complete transition away from cigarettes rather than prolonged dual use.
Aug.13
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
BAT UK Director Tolga Kilic Says Illicit Nicotine Market Squeezes Legal Retailers Amid Rising Compliance Costs
UK retail publication Grocery Trader has published a viewpoint article from Tolga Kilic, Commercial Director for BAT UK & Ireland, discussing the impact of illicit nicotine products on legitimate retail channels. Kilic said illegal vapes and other illicit nicotine products create competitive pressure for compliant retailers and called for stronger market controls and supply-chain oversight. The comments come as the UK advances policies including the disposable vape ban and Vaping Products Duty, creating a more complex operating environment for legal vape retailers.
Jul.28
Imperial Brands Plans Thousands of Job Cuts Across U.S. and Europe in Cost Restructuring
Imperial Brands Plans Thousands of Job Cuts Across U.S. and Europe in Cost Restructuring
According to Reuters, citing Bloomberg News, British tobacco company Imperial Brands PLC plans to cut thousands of jobs across the United States and Europe as part of a cost reduction and organizational restructuring effort. The announcement drew market attention to the company’s shares. The move comes as global tobacco companies continue adjusting their operations amid slower cigarette market growth, changing consumer preferences and the transition toward next-generation nicotine products.
Aug.11
FDA Authorizes Four More Nicotine Pouches as Review Pilot Expands Beyond Initial Decisions
FDA Authorizes Four More Nicotine Pouches as Review Pilot Expands Beyond Initial Decisions
The FDA has authorized four additional on! nicotine pouches, bringing the U.S. total to 30. The decision marks another outcome of the agency’s nicotine pouch review pilot, whose communication and review practices are now being applied more broadly across the category. It also extends Helix’s authorized portfolio from on! PLUS to the earlier on! line. Yet all FDA-authorized nicotine pouches still come from subsidiaries of PMI or Altria, underscoring how concentrated U.S. regulatory access remains.
Aug.05
Indiana’s Foreign-Made Vape Ban Takes Effect, Forcing Brands and Retailers to Adjust Supply Chains
Indiana’s Foreign-Made Vape Ban Takes Effect, Forcing Brands and Retailers to Adjust Supply Chains
A new Indiana law restricting the sale of foreign-made vape products has taken effect, requiring retailers to adjust inventory and sourcing practices. According to The Sun, WDRB and other reports, some local vape shops are reviewing product origins and supplier information to comply with the new requirements. The measure represents a broader shift in U.S. vape regulation, with oversight expanding beyond product authorization and sales rules toward manufacturing origin and supply-chain management.
Jul.24
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
Changing Assumptions in U.S. Cigar Consumption: 2Firsts Interviews Cigar Educator Mechelle Merkerson
U.S. premium cigar culture is shifting toward education, broader choice and deeper links to craftsmanship and origin, cigar educator Mechelle Merkerson told 2Firsts. She sees boutique brands, women consumers and production-region experiences making knowledge central to cigar participation. For global brands, retailers and emerging markets such as China, education may help turn curiosity into sustained engagement.
Special Report
Jul.06