1,169 vapes found in car at Woodlands checkpoint, ICA warns smugglers: 'You can run, but you can't hide'

A Malaysian-registered car was found with 1,169 e-vaporisers at Woodlands Checkpoint on Sept 17.

Search and Examination officers of Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had directed the vehicle for enhanced checks and uncovered the vapes concealed in the modified rear backseat of the car.

The case was referred to the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation.

Coincidentally, on the same day, ICA posted on social media a tongue-in-cheek video warning people not to smuggle vapes into Singapore with the song Bad Boys by Inner Circle as the soundtrack.

The video shows a short skit where a man with a package comically labelled "contraband" ran away from an ICA officer only to be caught by the time the officer counted to five.

Text then appears on the video that read: "You can run, but you can't hide. Our officer are stepping up checks at the checkpoints."

As if that wasn't enough, three days later, ICA posted another video with the message: "Every day of the week, ICA officers are on alert against vapes at the checkpoints. Do not attempt to purchase overseas and bring into Singapore!"

Singapore is taking a whole-of-government approach to tackling vaping, which is now considered a drug issue, with stiffer penalties imposed.

Vaping has been banned here since 2018, but the rise of etomidate-laced vapes has alarmed the authorities.

Since Sept 1, anybody caught possessing, using or buying vapes will face higher penalties.

Vape users under 18 will face a fine of $500 from Sept 1. Adults will be fined $700.

Second-time offenders will have to attend a rehabilitation programme for three months. Subsequent offenders will be prosecuted and fined a maximum of $2,000.