SINGAPORE — Singapore police have dismantled a major cross-border syndicate accused of smuggling vapes from Malaysia into Singapore, arresting 12 people and seizing more than 64,000 devices worth nearly RM2 million.

According to The New Straits Times, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said 11 men and one woman, aged between 25 and 35, were arrested during a coordinated raid on Thursday. The operation involved the Criminal Investigation Department, Police Intelligence Department, and Special Operations Command.

“They are believed to be part of a vape syndicate that orchestrated the importation and distribution of vapes from Malaysia into Singapore, and has been supplying to the local residents,” SPF said in a statement.

The suspects were detained at a car park near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, where they were allegedly distributing the devices. Follow-up raids at Upper Jurong Road, Canberra Drive and Jalan Senudok — including two storage sites used by the group — led to the seizure of over 64,000 vapes and components valued at more than S$560,000 (RM1.8 million).

Police also confiscated over S$16,000 in cash, mobile phones, SIM cards, and eight vehicles believed to have been used in the smuggling network. The SPF said it worked closely with the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) during the operation.

All 12 suspects were charged in court on Saturday. 

“Four of them faced charges for engaging in a conspiracy to possess e-vaporisers for sale under Section 16(4)(a) of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993, read with Section 109 of the Penal Code 1871. 

“The remaining eight were charged for possession of vapes for sale under the same Act,” SPF said.

Under Singapore’s Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, it is illegal to import, distribute or sell vapes and their components. Offenders face fines of up to S$10,000 or six months in prison for a first offence, and up to S$20,000 or a year behind bars for repeat offences.