Malaysia Intercepts 300000 Smuggled Vapes and Components

Malaysian Port Klang customs officials seized approximately 300000 vapes and their components disguised as furniture and wrapped in green polyethylene bags.

According to Straitstimes, customs officials at Port Klang in Malaysia seized approximately 300000 vapes and their components disguised as furniture and wrapped in green polyethylene bags.
According to sources, these vapes are suspected to have been smuggled by road to Singapore. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has warned that Malaysia is becoming a major maritime transit point for drug and vape smuggling in Southeast Asia.

Smuggling techniques:

Smuggling gangs often use green polyethylene bags to wrap goods to evade customs inspections.

Market regulations:

Some states in Malaysia allowing the sales of vapes, but they must comply with strict packaging and labeling regulations, including health warnings.

Singapore market:

There is evidence to suggest that these vapes may be sold in Singapore through online platforms, and Singapore authorities have strengthened law enforcement efforts.

International background:

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime warns that Malaysia has become a major maritime hub for smuggling drugs and vapes into Southeast Asia.

On July 30th, customs officials opened the container and found cardboard boxes marked as furniture inside.
Due to these boxes being wrapped in green polyethylene bags, officials suspect that they actually contain illegal items such as vapes, as this is a common tactic used by vape smuggling gangs, according to sources.
The seized vape brand is “Salthub” and does not have the health warning required for the Malaysian market.
In some states, including Selangor where Port Klang is located, vapes are legal.
Legitimate vapes must follow Malaysia’s guidelines, such as proper packaging and labeling, health warnings, consumption tax, and capacity limits for e-liquids. We know of several platforms in Singapore promoting this popular vape brand, “the source said.
He said that smugglers usually transport vapes to Singapore by road.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNCTAD) warned in a May report that criminal gangs are using Malaysia as a major maritime trafficking hub for drugs such as methamphetamine and vapes transported to Southeast Asia.
The report states that in order to avoid land transportation from Thailand, drug trafficking gangs are increasingly turning to sea or cargo trafficking directly to Port Klang.
As usual, Selangor, located on the west coast of the Malay Peninsula, seized the largest amount of methamphetamine in the country in 2024, reaching 3.6 tons, indicating that it is not only a major entry point but also an exit point primarily targeting North Sumatra, Indonesia, “the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime added.
The Straits Times had previously reported on two large-scale drug seizures at Malaysian ports.
In April 2023, Malaysian customs seized an estimated $22.6 million worth of ecstasy in a container at Penang Port, which was hidden in industrial machinery.
Two months later, it found 300 kilograms of cocaine in a container containing beans at Port Klang.
In the second half of 2024, Malaysian customs suspended smuggling activities worth over RM10.87 million (approximately USD 2.57 million) at Port Klang.
In early 2025, during separate enforcement operations at port facilities in Penang and Selangor, vapes and e-liquids worth RM5 million (approximately USD 1.18 million) were seized.
The vapes discovered in July were transported from China through a shipping company without any contact phone numbers or websites.
According to the shipping list seen by The Straits Times, this batch of goods will be received by a Malaysian consignee.
When the authorities visited the registered business address of the consignee, they found that it was a residence, not an office or warehouse.

At the same time, due to the surge in vape activities, Singapore authorities have strengthened law enforcement efforts.

According to the information we have, it shows that:
From January 2024 to March 2025, the Health Sciences Bureau seized vapes worth 41 million new coins (31.81 million US dollars) – almost five times the value reported from 2019 to the end of 2023.
Between April and June, a total of 19 large-scale cases of vape smuggling were discovered at air, land, and sea checkpoints in Singapore, resulting in approximately 90000 electronic cigarettes and related products being seized.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is increasing inspections at air, land, and sea checkpoints to detect and deter attempts to smuggle vapes.
ICA officials will also conduct on-site assessments and use radioactive and X-ray scanners, as well as handheld detection devices, to discover smuggled items on vehicles or visitors at the border.
Singapore is taking comprehensive measures to combat vapes, including raising public awareness and public health information in schools, military camps, foreign worker dormitories, and public transportation, as well as deploying more government personnel to support law enforcement efforts.
On August 17th, Prime Minister Huang Xuncai stated at the National Day mass meeting that the government will treat vapes as a drug problem and implement stricter punishments.
Starting from September 1st, anyone found to possess, use, or purchase vapes will face higher penalties.
The fines for vape abusers will increase, with a fine of SGD 500 (approximately USD 388) for individuals under the age of 18 and SGD 700 (approximately USD 543) for adults, up from SGD 300 (approximately USD 233) and SGD 500 respectively.
People who abuse vapes containing synthetic drugs such as etomidate or ketamine, also known as Kpods, may be required to undergo rehabilitation, mandatory supervision, and detention.

Reference:300,000 vapes seized in Malaysia’s Port Klang believed to be headed for Singapore | The Straits Times

Dank Smoke COO Ricky – He expressed his own opinion on this due to the intense competition in vapes. Today, many vape manufacturers are in a frenzy, willing to pay any price in order to secure customer orders. Combined with the government’s export tax rebate and other subsidy policies, China’s vape factories are even more enthusiastic about exporting electronics to the world. However, the high profits on the retail end do have a strong appeal, making many business people willing to step forward and take the lead. However, there will be no room for leniency in the law, and criminals will eventually pay for their actions