More than S$5 million worth of vape products seized in Woodlands warehouse raid
Two men were arrested and charged with staying in Singapore unlawfully without a valid pass.
E-vaporisers and components found and seized at a warehouse located within Woodlands Industrial Park. (Photo: Health Sciences Authority)
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SINGAPORE: More than S$5 million (US$3.7 million) worth of vape products were seized during a warehouse raid at Woodlands Industrial Park on Apr 24.
It is the second-largest seizure of e-vaporisers here, a month after a record haul in March that was worth more than S$6 million.
Officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) were conducting an enforcement operation when they found a large quantity of e-vaporiser products and alerted the Health Sciences Authority (HSA).
More than 400,000 e-vaporisers and components were seized from the Woodlands warehouse, ICA and HSA said in a joint media release on Tuesday (May 21).
Two Thai men - aged 22 and 30 - were arrested at the warehouse and have been charged with staying in Singapore illegally without a valid pass.
The two men are assisting in investigations into the seizure of vapes.
On Mar 19, authorities seized more than S$6 million worth of vape products from two warehouse units after a police roadblock found two men transporting two packages of e-vaporisers in their car.
The number of vaping offences has been on the rise.
Last year, Singapore authorities handled around 8,000 vaping-related offences, a 43 per cent jump from the figure of 5,600 in 2022. A total of 7,600 offences were recorded in 2021.
From Jan 1 to Mar 31 this year, more than 2,200 people were caught for the possession and use of e-vaporisers.
HSA and ICA warned that the purchase, use and possession of e-vaporisers are prohibited.
For importing, distributing or selling the products, those convicted for the first time face a fine of up to S$10,000, a jail term of up to six months or both.
For second and subsequent offences, a person may face a fine of up to S$20,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.
ICA also takes a serious view of attempts to overstay in Singapore.
Those overstaying a period not exceeding 90 days may be fined up to S$4,000, face a jail term of up to six months or both.
Arrested immigration offenders will also be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore after sentencing or payment of fines.
