Man jailed 18 months for importing over 4,300 vapes through Woodlands Checkpoint

A Malaysian man was sentenced to 18 months' jail on Thursday (Nov 5) for importing over 4,300 non-etomidate vaporiser pods in a Malaysia-registered van through Woodlands Checkpoint.This is also the highest sentence imposed to date for the importation of non-etomidate vaporiser pods under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA).Syed Mohd Ridzuan Syed Yahya, 31, was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint on July 10 after the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) search and examination officers found the pods concealed in the back panels and overhead compartment of the van during enhanced checks.HSA said its officers seized the van and the vapes which were worth an estimated $22,000.Another charge involving the possession of one vaporiser was also taken into consideration for sentencing, it added.