Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim on harsher penalties for etomidate abuse

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) who abuse etomidate overseas will be dealt with as if the offence was committed in Singapore, with the temporary listing of etomidate and its analogues as Class C controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim highlighted this provision on Monday (Sep 22), in reply to parliamentary questions. He pointed out that the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the MDA, which makes it an offence for any Singapore Citizen or PR to consume controlled drugs outside of the country, will apply to those who abuse etomidate overseas. He also updated the House on the measures against vaping, including Singapore's border control measures to address the smuggling of illegal vaping products. Between Sep 15 last year and Sep 14 this year, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority intercepted 76 attempts of large-scale smuggling of vapes and related products at Singapore's checkpoints and 57 attempts through the postal channels. The Central Narcotics Bureau also dismantled a syndicate dealing in etomidate-laced vapes and arrested eight people.