A 15-year-old girl from Myanmar is the first foreigner to have their Singapore long-term immigration status revoked for possessing an e-vaporiser pod containing etomidate, or a Kpod.
A vape pod containing the drug was found in her possession during a routine check by police officers on November 14, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) said in a joint press release on Monday.
She has been issued a Special Pass to allow her to remain in Singapore to assist with investigations by the police for other offences.
Advertisement
“Following the conclusion of her case with the police, she will be deported and barred from re-entering Singapore,” the authorities said.
Under the enhanced anti-vaping framework that came into force on September 1, foreigners caught in possession of or using Kpods, or who test positive for etomidate, may have their pass or immigration status revoked and be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore.
Advertisement
In another case, a 16-year-old Singaporean boy on November 27 was admitted to the Drug Rehabilitation Centre for two months after he was caught for etomidate-related offences on three occasions.
He is the first etomidate abuser to be sent to the centre since it was classified as a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act on September 1.