A Singaporean man was sentenced to a year and eight months in jail and fined $4,000 for smuggling over 3,000 etomidate-laced vape pods and more than 5,000 heatsticks into Singapore from Malaysia.
Etomidate Smuggling Operation
Neo Yeow Siang, 45, pleaded guilty to importing the heatsticks and possessing the etomidate-laced vape pods. The sentencing took place on Feb. 25.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) prosecutor, Nur Afiqah, explained to the court that etomidate is a hypnotic substance approved only for intravenous injection as a general anesthetic. It is not approved for inhalation.
Inhalation of etomidate can induce psychiatric symptoms, including depressed mood, mood swings, and increased impulsivity, potentially leading to suicide attempts and aggression, according to case reports.
Details of the Smuggling
Investigations revealed that Neo’s vehicle required repairs in February 2024, leading him to NK Motorsports, a workshop in Johor Bahru owned by a man named “Nick.” Nick then offered Neo a job smuggling vape pods into Singapore.
Neo accepted the offer to alleviate his debts, including repair costs owed to Nick. He was promised between RM900 (S$295) and RM1,500 for each successful delivery.
Between September 2024 and March 2025, Neo made 10 deliveries, receiving instructions from Nick via WhatsApp. He would drive to NK Motorsports, load the prohibited items into his vehicle, import them into Singapore, and distribute them as directed.
In total, Neo received approximately RM16,900 for his involvement.
Heatstick Importation
Neo also admitted to collecting heatsticks on behalf of a friend known as “Wilson” from a shop operated by “Zhen Yu” at KSL City Mall in Johor Bahru. He collected the heatsticks for Wilson on three to four occasions.
Arrest and Investigation
On March 7, 2025, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers stopped Neo’s Singapore-registered vehicle while he was driving from Malaysia to Singapore. A search revealed the vape pods and heatsticks, and the case was referred to the HSA.
Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of etomidate in the vape pods.
Etomidate Classification and Future Legislation
Etomidate was listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) as a Class C drug on Sept. 1, 2025, in response to a surge in etomidate-laced vape use, also known as Kpods. Drugs in this category are considered dangerous enough to warrant strict control, but have lower potential for harm than Class A and Class B drugs.
Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam stated on Feb. 4 that etomidate will remain a Class C drug under the MDA while the Ministry of Health drafts amendments to current laws. A Bill will be presented to Parliament in the first half of 2026.
The HSA affirmed its commitment to a tough stance against vaping and regularly reviews sentencing frameworks to ensure they remain effective deterrents.
Current laws under the MDA provide for sentences of three to 20 years’ imprisonment and five to 15 strokes of the cane for importers of etomidate-laced vapes, and two to 10 years’ imprisonment and two to five strokes of the cane for sellers and distributors.
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