A tragic car crash in Punggol has spotlighted the dangers of a rising trend among illicit vape users — the use of anaesthetic-laced products known as “Kpods” or “zombie vapes.” On 13 May, a 30-year-old man crashed his car into a stationary bus at a traffic light along Punggol Road. The impact proved fatal for his passenger, a 28-year-old woman, who succumbed to her injuries later at the hospital.
The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) confirmed that etomidate, a potent anaesthetic, was found in the bloodstream of both the driver and the deceased passenger. The substance, when inhaled through vapes, induces a sedative-like state that severely impairs motor skills and judgement — a dangerous combination behind the wheel.
During the investigation, authorities recovered 42 vape devices and over 1,200 pods from the vehicle. Several of these pods were found to contain etomidate. The man is currently assisting the police and HSA in their ongoing probe into both the accident and the illegal possession of vaping paraphernalia.
Young Mother Among the Victims of the Punggol Tragedy
The deceased passenger, Lu Tangqi (transliterated from Chinese), was a manicurist and a mother to a young daughter. Just days before the incident, she had celebrated Mother’s Day — a bittersweet memory now for her grieving family, reported Shin Min Daily News.
Friends and family members were seen at the morgue on 15 May to claim her body. According to Shin Min Daily News, the loss has left a profound impact on those close to her, especially her daughter who now faces a future without her mother.
Singapore to Tighten Laws Around Etomidate and Kpods
The use and distribution of vapes in Singapore is already illegal under existing regulations. Individuals caught buying, using, or possessing vapes face fines of up to S$2,000. The penalties for those involved in the import, sale, or advertisement of vape products are more severe — fines of up to S$10,000, jail terms of up to six months, or both.
However, the emergence of Kpods — vapes laced with etomidate — has triggered greater concern. Currently listed as a poison under the Poisons Act, possession or use of such products may lead to a jail sentence of up to two years and fines of up to S$10,000.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung stated that the Ministry of Health is working closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs to reclassify etomidate as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This would place the substance in the same legal category as cannabis and cocaine, with similar penalties applied to offenders.
As zombie vapes gain traction on the black market, Singaporean authorities are urging the public to stay vigilant. What may seem like a recreational high could lead to fatal outcomes, not only through health deterioration but also via tragic incidents like the one in Punggol.
Top image from Shin Min Daily News