18-year-old charged for alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods

HSA Singapore Announcements

Filed April 6th, 2026

Detected April 8th, 2026

Summary

HSA charged an 18-year-old male in Singapore court on 6 April 2026 for alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods. During an enforcement operation on 4 April, HSA officers seized 108 etomidate pods, one vaporiser, and duty-unpaid cigarettes. This is the second prosecution of an 18-year-old for etomidate trafficking, following enhanced penalties that took effect on 1 September 2025.

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What changed

HSA has filed criminal charges against an 18-year-old for alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods, marking the second prosecution of a minor for this offence. The enforcement action resulted in seizure of 108 pods, one vaporiser device, and duty-unpaid cigarettes referred to Singapore Customs. The charges proceed under enhanced penalties framework that increased maximum imprisonment terms to 20 years and added caning sentences for importers.

Affected parties including importers, sellers, and distributors of etomidate vaporisers face significantly stiffer penalties under both the current framework and the upcoming Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act effective 1 May 2026. Businesses should immediately cease all etomidate-related commerce as HSA has signaled this is an enforcement priority, with potential alignment of penalties to the Misuse of Drugs Act under TVCA.

What to do next

Review compliance with etomidate vaporiser prohibitions under current enhanced penalties framework
Prepare for Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA) effective 1 May 2026 which lists etomidate as a Specified Psychoactive Substance
Cease all import, sale, and distribution of etomidate vaporisers immediately

Penalties

Under enhanced penalties (effective 1 Sep 2025): Importers face 3-20 years imprisonment and 5-15 strokes of the cane; Sellers and distributors face 2-10 years imprisonment and 2-5 strokes of the cane. Under TVCA (effective 1 May 2026): Importers face 3-20 years imprisonment and 5-15 strokes of the cane; Suppliers face 2-10 years imprisonment and 2-5 strokes of the cane.

Source document (simplified)

HSA Charges 18-Year-Old for Alleged Trafficking of Etomidate Vaporiser Pods

The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has charged an 18-year-old male, Goh Shao Zhi Cornelius, in court on 6 April 2026 for the alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods. Goh had allegedly sold the pods to buyers after notifying them of the availability of stock via Telegram, a messaging application.

2 On 4 April 2026, HSA officers acted on a tip-off and conducted an enforcement operation at Goh's place of residence. During the search of the unit, HSA officers seized one vaporiser, 108 pods and one packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes. Laboratory testing confirmed that the seized pods contained etomidate. Investigations are ongoing. The duty-unpaid cigarettes have been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation. Refer to the Annex for photos of the seized items.

3 The case has been adjourned to 4 May 2026. Goh is the second 18-year-old to be charged by HSA for alleged trafficking of etomidate vaporiser pods. Kwek Rui An Rayern, male, was the first 18-year-old who was charged by HSA for alleged trafficking of etomidate e-vaporiser pods on 17 October 2025.

4 HSA takes a serious view of vaporiser and etomidate trafficking offences. Under the current enhanced penalties framework that took effect on 1 September 2025, importers, sellers and distributors of etomidate vaporisers face stiffer penalties. These include 3 to 20 years’ imprisonment and 5 to 15 strokes of the cane for importers, and 2 to 10 years’ imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the cane for sellers and distributors.

5 From 1 May 2026, the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act 1993 (TVCA) will come into force. Under TVCA, etomidate and its analogues will be listed as Specified Psychoactive Substances (SPS), which will be specified in a new Schedule. The penalties related to vaporisers containing SPS are aligned with the relevant penalties in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 under the current enforcement framework. Importers face 3 to 20 years’ imprisonment and 5 to 15 strokes of the cane. Suppliers face 2 to 10 years’ imprisonment and 2 to 5 strokes of the cane.

HEALTH SCIENCES AUTHORITY SINGAPORE 6 APRIL 2026

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Consumer, Tobacco control Published:

6 Apr 2026

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6 Apr 2026