Over 5,200 vapes and components found in 4 foreigners' luggage at Singapore Changi airport

Officers at Singapore Changi Airport found 5,272 vaporizers and related components in the luggage of four arriving foreign travelers last week, the largest haul from four days of stepped-up checks at the country's checkpoints.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) detected 50 cases of travelers found with vaporizers at Singapore's land, air and sea checkpoints from Oct. 26 to 29, seizing more than 5,476 vaporizers and related components in all, AsiaOne reported.

According to ICA, its search and examination officers had profiled the four travelers at Terminal 4 for further checks, leading to the find.

The four have since been referred to the Health Sciences Authority and will face higher penalties under the Tobacco and Vaporizers Control Act (TVCA), ICA said.

The authority said such checks are part of ongoing efforts to detect and deter attempts to smuggle vaporizers into Singapore. It reminded travelers that vaping is illegal in the country and that foreigners who visit or live there must abide by its laws.

Short-term visitors who reoffend will be banned from re-entering Singapore, while long-term pass holders may have their passes revoked on a third offense and be deported and banned from returning, it said.

Under the TVCA, which took effect on May 1, importing vaporizers carries mandatory jail of up to nine years and a fine of up to S$300,000 (US$234,000). The maximum fine for buying, using or possessing them rose to S$10,000 from S$2,000.