Man jailed 18 months for importing over 4,300 vapes through Woodlands Checkpoint

A Malaysian man was sentenced to 18 months' jail on Thursday (Nov 5) for importing over 4,300 non-etomidate vaporiser pods in a Malaysia-registered van through Woodlands Checkpoint.

This is also the highest sentence imposed to date for the importation of non-etomidate vaporiser pods under the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act (TVCA) .

Syed Mohd Ridzuan Syed Yahya, 31, was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint on July 10 after the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) search and examination officers found the pods concealed in the back panels and overhead compartment of the van during enhanced checks.

HSA said its officers seized the van and the vapes which were worth an estimated $22,000.

Another charge involving the possession of one vaporiser was also taken into consideration for sentencing, it added.

Its investigations revealed that Ridzuan had applied for jobs through a Facebook page in early June 2026 and was contacted by an unidentified male with a Malaysian phone number.

He then travelled from Malacca to Johor Bahru to meet the unknown person, who was referred to as "Boss".

A vehicle was then registered under Ridzuan's name and arrangements were made for him to stay in a rental house in Johor Bahru.

"Boss" also arranged a Malaysian SIM card for him, purportedly for communications relating to the pod deliveries.

The van was loaded with pods on the night of July 9, a day before Ridzuan was arrested.

The authority reiterated that it takes a serious view of offences involving the importation and supply of vaporisers and their components.

Under the TVCA, importers of vaporisers face mandatory imprisonment of up to nine years, and a fine of up to $300,000, while suppliers face mandatory imprisonment of up to six years, and a fine of up to $200,000.

Vehicles used in the commission of such offences will also be seized and liable to forfeiture under the TVCA's enhanced enforcement measures.

HSA also reminded would-be perpetrators that upon forfeiture, offenders will lose all claims to their vehicles.

一名马来西亚男子于周四（11月5日）被判处18个月监禁，罪名是驾驶一辆马来西亚注册的货车，通过兀兰关卡走私超过4300个不含依托咪酯的电子烟烟弹。

这也是迄今为止根据《烟草和雾化器控制法》(TVCA)对进口不含依托咪酯的雾化器烟弹判处的最高刑罚。

31岁的赛义德·莫哈末·里兹万·赛义德·亚赫亚于7月10日在兀兰关卡被捕，此前移民与关卡局（ICA）的搜查和检查人员在加强检查中，在面包车的后挡板和顶部隔间内发现了隐藏的舱体。

HSA表示，其官员查获了这辆货车和电子烟，估计价值22000美元。

法庭还补充说，另一项涉及持有电子烟的指控也在量刑时予以考虑。

调查显示，里兹万于 2026 年 6 月初通过 Facebook 页面申请工作，并接到一名身份不明的男子用马来西亚电话号码联系他的电话。

然后他从马六甲前往新山与这位被称为“老板”的陌生人见面。

随后，一辆汽车以里兹万的名义登记，并安排他在柔佛新山租了一间房子居住。

“老板”还为他安排了一张马来西亚 SIM 卡，据称是为了与舱体交付相关的通讯。

7 月 9 日晚，也就是里兹万被捕的前一天，这辆货车装满了毒品。

该机构重申，对于涉及进口和供应电子烟及其组件的违法行为，将采取严肃态度。

根据《烟草制品控制法》，电子烟进口商将面临最高九年的强制监禁和最高 30 万美元的罚款，而供应商将面临最高六年的强制监禁和最高 20 万美元的罚款。

用于实施此类犯罪的车辆也将被扣押，并根据《交通违章车辆法》的强化执法措施予以没收。

新加坡卫生科学局还提醒潜在的违法者，一旦车辆被没收，违法者将失去对其车辆的所有所有权。