Over $800k worth: 2 Malaysians first to be charged for importing Kpods into Singapore under new act
Two Malaysian nationals were charged by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on May 8 for the alleged smuggling of etomidate-laced vapourisers, also known as Kpods.The HSA shared in a press release on May 15 that Muhammad Izzat Emer Bin Mohd Hassan, 26, and Nurain Binti Ismail, 24, are the first to be charged for importation under Singapore's new Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TCVA), which replaced the previous Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act starting May 1, 2026.The pair were detained by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers on May 6 while entering Singapore through the Woodlands Checkpoint in a Malaysia-registered car.12,273 vape pods concealed in 161 parcels were discovered hidden in the vehicle, suspected to contain etomidate and amounting to a street value of over $800,000.The incident was referred to the HSA.