ICA Seizes Over 18,400 E-Vaporisers at Tuas Checkpoint — Largest Land-Checkpoint Haul Since Tougher Penalties Took Effect

Key Points

• Record seizure: >18,400 e-vaporisers and ~1,400 components, largest land-checkpoint haul since Sep 1, 2025.
• Misdeclaration: Goods declared as “components for motorised external roll-up blinds.”
• Risk profiling: ICA’s Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC) flagged the lorry via pre-arrival risk assessment; enhanced checks followed.
• Arrest & referral: A Malaysian man was arrested; case handed to HSA for further investigation.
• Enforcement backdrop: Singapore has tightened action against vaping; stiffer fines took effect on Sep 1 after etomidate (linked to “Kpods”) was listed as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
• Official stance: ICA: “Border security is a crucial aspect of the enforcement strategy against e-vaporisers.”

2Firsts, September 16, 2025 — From CNA's report, ICA reported that at around 7:00am on Monday (Sep 15), a Malaysian-registered lorry arriving at Tuas Checkpoint was profiled by ICA’s Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC) through pre-arrival risk assessment and directed for enhanced inspection. Officers subsequently uncovered more than 18,400 e-vaporisers and around 1,400 related components concealed within the vehicle. The shipment had been declared as “components for motorised external roll-up blinds.”

ICA said this operation marks the largest haul of smuggled e-vaporisers detected at Singapore’s land checkpoints since tougher penalties for vape-related offences took effect on September 1, 2025. A Malaysian man linked to the case was arrested and the matter was referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for further investigations.

Authorities noted that Singapore has intensified its crackdown on vaping in recent weeks. From September 1, the government implemented stiffer fines for users and suppliers, alongside the listing of etomidate—an anaesthetic ingredient detected in illicit “Kpods”—as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Reiterating the enforcement approach, ICA stated: “Border security is a crucial aspect of the enforcement strategy against e-vaporisers.” The authority added that it remains committed to safeguarding Singapore by ensuring safe and secure borders while cooperating closely with partner agencies on ongoing investigations.