Man charged over etomidate possession under Misuse of Drugs Act, 7 days after law enhanced

A 40-year-old man caught while allegedly in possession of 43 e-vaporiser pods containing etomidate has been charged in court, seven days after the law was enhanced to list the substance as an illegal drug.

Derek Khor Boon Chun was charged on Sept 8 with etomidate possession for the purpose of trafficking under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA).

Khor, who was apprehended at a carpark in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 on Sept 6, was ordered to be remanded at the Central Police Division.

His case will be mentioned again on Sept 15.

If convicted of the offence, the Singaporean can be jailed for between two years and 10 years, and receive between two strokes and five strokes of the cane.

In a release late on Sept 8, the Ministry of Health said that Khor is the first person to be charged under the MDA, after etomidate was classified as a Class C controlled drug on Sept 1.

Etomidate was previously regulated under the Poisons Act, where those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate could be jailed for up to two years, fined up to $10,000, or both.

On Aug 24, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that the substance will be classified under the MDA as a Class C drug.

Drugs under the classification have lower potential for harm than Class A and Class B drugs, but are still deemed dangerous enough to warrant strict control.

Other drugs classified under this category include the hypnotic drug Erimin-5 (nimetazepam).

Under the MDA, etomidate abusers face harsher penalties, including a maximum sentence of 10 years’ jail and a $20,000 fine for illegal possession and use.

To report vaping-related offences, call the Health Sciences Authority hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, including public holidays. Reports can also be made online at www.go.gov.sg/reportvape

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Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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