Boy, 16, found to have 54 vape pods at home during HSA raid, some contained etomidate
He was allegedly vaping in a private-hire car with another 16-year-old boy.
In a raid on May 22, the Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) discovered and seized 54 e-vaporiser pods and three e-vaporisers in the home of a 16-year-old boy. This was one of the recent cases shared by HSA in a press release on Jul. 20, highlighting enhanced surveillance and enforcement of vapes.
HSA officers conducted the raid as a follow-up check after a driver reported to the Traffic Police that two 16-year-old boys were allegedly vaping while riding in the driver's private-hire car on May 18.
The Traffic Police seized two vapes from one of the boys, and he would later be found to possess more in the home raid.
HSA tested the pods seized, and some were found to contain etomidate.
The second boy's home was also raided, but no vapes or related components were found.
Both boys are assisting HSA in investigations.
Other recent cases
Public reports on vape-related offences have increased lately and this contributes to the government's surveillance and enforcement of vapes.
HSA received more than 3,000 reports in 2024 and more than 2,500 reports in just the first half of 2025.
In May, HSA also raided the home of a 58-year-old man after a video posted online showed him sitting on the road holding a vape and shaking uncontrollably. The raid did not turn up any vapes, but the man admitted to vaping and was thus issued a composition fine by HSA.
From HSA's press release.
That same month, another video on social media prompted HSA to raid the home of a 24-year-old man who was filmed vaping in a lift at Sim Lim Square. Two vapes were seized, and the man is assisting HSA in investigations.
From HSA's press release.
On Jul. 11, a 21-year-old man was also caught by HSA for allegedly distributing vapes and components in Bishan and Ubi. HSA officers seized almost three tonnes of e-vaporisers through raids, and he was charged in court on Jul. 14.
To counter the growing problem of vapes laced with etomidate, health minister Ong Ye Kung announced on Jul. 20 that the Ministry of Health (MOH) will be working with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to list etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
When asked about the situation in schools, Ong told media that the ministry did not detect any etomidate-laced vapes among vapes seized from schools but he does not want to assume it is fine.
Top image from HSA
