SINGAPORE – The first person to be charged with possessing etomidate vapes after the law was enhanced was taken on Sept 12 to an Ang Mo Kio flat where he had been arrested earlier.

Singaporean Derek Khor Boon Chun, 40, had been

charged on Sept 8 with etomidate possession

On Sept 8, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said that on Sept 6, the police were alerted to a man behaving suspiciously at Block 631 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4.

When they arrived, officers found Khor with an e-vaporiser and pod. Checks of his mobile phone revealed that he was allegedly involved in vape trafficking.

A search of his vehicle uncovered around 50 vapes and components, including pods, which were sent to HSA and tested positive for etomidate.

When he was charged, it was reported that he had 43 vape pods on him.

On Sept 12, Khor, who was in leg and arm restraints, was escorted by HSA and security officers to Block 631.

He arrived at around 4.05pm in an unmarked grey van and was taken by officers to the sixth floor of the block.

The group spent about 15 minutes there before leaving in the van.

HSA’s chief executive officer, Adjunct Professor Raymond Chua, thanked members of the public for partnering HSA to keep Singapore safe and vape-free by reporting suspicious activities.

He said in a statement to the media: “As illustrated in this case, the prompt reporting of suspicious activity by the public enabled the authorities to disrupt the illegal supply of e-vaporisers and distribution of harmful controlled drugs like etomidate.”