Singapore officials seize e-vaporisers, accessories worth S$66k
SINGAPORE — An estimated S$66,000 worth of electronic vaporisers and related accessories were seized in a joint effort by Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on 7 November.
In a joint media statement on Tuesday (26 November), the two authorities said that they seized 189 sets of e-vaporisers and 4,703 related accessories from a suspected peddler.
The suspect, a 28-year-old male, is currently assisting HSA in investigations. He had allegedly made online orders of e-vaporisers from overseas, and tried to evade the law by declaring the items as electronic and facial products.
Parcels at Changi Airfreight Centre
ICA officers at Changi Airfreight Centre had alerted HSA on 7 November after they detected a consignment of parcels containing e-vaporisers and related accessories. Eight of the parcels containing 24 sets of e-vaporisers and 1,209 accessories were addressed to the same addressee.
HSA then visited the addressee’s storage premises and seized an additional five sets of e-vaporisers and 3,194 accessories.
On 13 November, HSA was alerted to another suspicious consignment at Changi Airfreight Centre. Seven of the parcels were addressed to the above-mentioned suspect. They were found to contain 160 sets of e-vaporisers and 300 accessories.
Public reminded not to buy e-vaporisers
HSA reminds the public not to purchase any e-vaporisers (including through the Internet) to be brought into Singapore. They should also refrain from using e-vaporisers and discard any e-vaporiser they have in their possession.
Those caught smuggling and peddling e-vaporisers can be jailed up to six months and/or fined up to S$10,000 for their first offence. For subsequent offences, they can be jailed up to a year and/or fined up to S$20,000.
Anyone caught using, buying or in possession of electronic vaporisers can also be fined up to S$2,000.
Members of the public who have information on illegal activities involving e-vaporisers can contact the Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684-2036/6684-2037 during office hours (9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday).
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