Vape importer pleads guilty over attempts to retrieve S$6.6 million stash seized by HSA, other charges
A vape importer pleaded guilty to charges including attempted break-ins to recover S$6.6 million in seized e-vaporisers.Summary
Chua Wee Ming, 35, a Malaysian vape importer, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to nine charges, including two counts of attempted housebreaking to commit theft, possession of items resembling tobacco products for sale, and obstructing justice. He had imported 653,868 e-vaporiser items worth S$6.628 million and stored them in a Woodlands warehouse. After HSA seized the goods in March 2024, Chua enlisted Chee Wai Yuen to surveil and retrieve the items for RM50,000, and later another man for S$20,000. Both attempts failed and the accomplices were arrested. Chua also arranged for Chee to be smuggled out of Singapore via a lorry driven by Thanesh Murugan after Chee was charged. Chee was later arrested in Malaysia and extradited. Chua was arrested in September 2024, re-arrested in October, and has been in remand since. His sentencing is adjourned to December. The offences carry maximum penalties of six months' jail and/or a S$10,000 fine for tobacco-related possession, and up to 10 years' jail and a fine for housebreaking.
(Source：CNA)
