Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers discovered 1,169 e-vaporisers stashed inside a Malaysia-registered car on 17 September 2025. The haul came after officers conducted enhanced checks at Woodlands Checkpoint.
Someone had cleverly modified a compartment behind the car’s rear seat to hide the contraband. Officers only found the stash after physically moving the backseat forward. The ICA released a video showing plastic bags packed with vapes being pulled from the secret space.
Driver handed over immediately
The car’s driver was referred straight to the Health Sciences Authority for investigation. ICA says border security forms the backbone of Singapore’s anti-vape strategy. HSA now handles the case and will decide on further action.
Penalties get tougher
Singapore cranked up enforcement from 1 September 2025 with steeper fines for vape-related offences. Anyone under 18 caught vaping pays S$500. Those 18 and above face S$700 penalties.
HSA has seen vape seizures skyrocket lately. Officers confiscated over S$41 million worth of vapes between January 2024 and March 2025. That’s nearly five times more than the entire haul from 2019 to end-2023.
Big busts becoming routine
This bust follows several major intercepts at Singapore’s borders. Two days earlier on 15 September, officers at Tuas Checkpoint stopped a Malaysia-registered lorry carrying more than 18,400 e-vaporisers and about 1,400 components.
ICA’s automated risk assessment tools flagged that vehicle for enhanced checks. Anti-vape operations now sweep through schools, nightspots, business districts, military camps and Home Team facilities.
Dangerous variants carry heavier penalties
Etomidate-laced vape pods called Kpods fall under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act as Class C controlled drugs. Anyone caught with these faces possible rehabilitation, supervision or detention – much harsher than regular vape penalties.
The Health Promotion Board runs a QuitLine at 1800-438-2000 for people wanting to quit vaping. Singapore continues enforcement across all land, air and sea checkpoints.
