Suspected vape user escorted off train, acts 'aggressively' with SMRT staff members at Lakeside station
A suspected vape user was escorted off an MRT train and got into an altercation with SMRT staff members at Lakeside station on Aug 10.
Stomper CS shared a video of the altercation between two men in SMRT uniform and a bespectacled young man in a black "Infantry" T-shirt near the lift on the ground floor.
"The teen might have been on Kpod or something. He could not walk properly and was being aggressive with the staff," recounted the Stomper.
"When I saw this, I was worried because the staff members were trying to calm the person down while waiting for police assistance. But the guy got agitated and started to push the staff member.
"An uncle was trying to stop the MRT staff members as he felt they were using excessive force against the teen.
"We could tell the guy was not in the right state of mind, especially with the rise in Kpod incidents."
Indeed, Stomp has recently reported several such incidents.
In response to a Stomp query, SMRT Trains president Lam Sheau Kai said a commuter had informed the station staff that a male individual was using a vape at about 12.15 pm.
"Our staff promptly located the individual, escorted him off the train and handed him over to the authorities," said Mr Lam.
"During the process, the individual acted aggressively towards our staff, pushing them and attempting to retrieve the vaping device. Our staff responded appropriately in self-defence while maintaining public order and ensuring the safety of other commuters.
"A Notice of Offence (NOO) was issued to the individual for his inappropriate conduct and for breaching our network regulations."
When contacted by Stomp, the police said they received a call for assistance at 201 Boon Lay Way at about 12.20pm.
The 19-year-old is assisting with investigations for using criminal force. An e-vaporiser was found in his possession and was referred to the Health Sciences Authority.
Investigations are ongoing.
Under current laws, possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000.
Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000.
Those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000.
Mr Lam added: "SMRT takes such unlawful behaviour seriously, and we strongly encourage commuters who witness similar incidents to report them to our staff immediately."
