Five Singaporeans arrested in major CNB anti-drug operation, over 1,200 e-vaporiser pods seized
Five Singaporeans were arrested during a two-day CNB operation, with over 1,200 e-vaporiser pods believed to contain etomidate seized. Officers also recovered more than S$200,000 in cash, luxury watches and three vehicles.
- Five Singaporeans were arrested in a two-day CNB operation, with 1,284 etomidate-laced e-vaporiser pods seized.
- Officers also confiscated over S$200,000 in cash, luxury watches and three vehicles.
- Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, those convicted of importing or distributing etomidate face mandatory jail terms and caning.
SINGAPORE: Five Singaporeans — four men and one woman — were arrested for suspected drug offences following a two-day anti-drug operation conducted by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on 25 and 26 February 2026.
In a news release issued on 2 March, CNB said officers seized more than 1,200 e-vaporiser pods believed to contain etomidate, along with large sums of cash, luxury watches and three vehicles.
Investigations into the suspects’ alleged drug activities are ongoing.
Arrests across multiple locations
The operation began on the evening of 25 February when CNB officers, acting on intelligence, arrested a 36-year-old Singaporean man in the vicinity of Bedok North for suspected drug-related offences.
The man allegedly put up a violent struggle during the arrest, and officers used necessary force to restrain him. About 50 e-vaporiser pods believed to contain etomidate were seized.
Later that evening, a 29-year-old Singaporean man was arrested at the junction of Sembawang Road and Mandai Avenue.
Officers subsequently escorted him to a unit at a self-storage facility near Woodlands Close, where 1,084 e-vaporiser pods believed to contain etomidate were recovered. His vehicle was also seized.
Luxury watches, cash and vehicles recovered
In a concurrent operation, CNB officers raided a residential unit in the vicinity of Miltonia Close.
A 37-year-old Singaporean man and a 29-year-old Singaporean woman were arrested for suspected drug-related offences.
A search of the unit uncovered 145 e-vaporiser pods and nine e-vaporisers believed to contain etomidate, cash amounting to S$243,451.35, small sums of foreign currency and several luxury watches. Two vehicles belonging to the man were also seized.
In the early hours of 26 February, officers raided another residential unit in the vicinity of Woodlands Drive, where a 19-year-old Singaporean man was arrested. Five e-vaporiser pods believed to contain etomidate were seized from the unit.
In total, officers confiscated 1,284 e-vaporiser pods and nine e-vaporisers suspected to contain etomidate, more than S$200,000 in cash, small amounts of foreign currency, high-value watches and three vehicles.
Penalties under the law
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, those who import, sell or distribute etomidate-laced e-vaporisers face severe penalties.
Individuals convicted of importing etomidate face a mandatory jail term of at least three years and five strokes of the cane, which may extend to 20 years’ imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane.
Those involved in the sale or distribution of etomidate may be jailed for between two and 10 years, and receive between two and five strokes of the cane.
