A 31-year-old Singaporean, Ivan Tan Zhi Xuan, has been charged in Malaysia for drug trafficking in June 2025.
Tan is accused of leading a syndicate linked to the country’s first known cocaine vape distribution case, according to reports from state media The Straits Times.
Alleged plan to infiltrate South Korea’s vape market
Authorities allege that Tan sought to move vapes laced with etomidate and cocaine into South Korea.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) of South Korea said the vapes posed a significant threat to public health.
Investigators believe Tan aimed to build a network in Seoul by recruiting students as distributors.
Tan is accused of setting up a headhunting firm in Gangnam, Seoul, as a cover. The NIS alleged the company was used to recruit young South Koreans, particularly those who had studied in Singapore.
South Korean broadcaster KBS News aired footage of Tan leaving Incheon Airport and entering a taxi.
Three associates were arrested with Tan: Singaporeans Tristan Chew Jin Zhong, 25, and Quek Kien Seng, 45, along with Malaysian Kong Sien Mee, 51.
The syndicate allegedly recruited students to distribute vape cartridges branded as “Kpods”, which were infused with etomidate. NIS claimed cocaine may have been added to increase the hallucinogenic effects.
Arrest in Malaysia and seizure of drugs
Malaysian police arrested the four men on 19 June in Selangor, after receiving information from the NIS.
According to the Royal Malaysia Police’s Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, officers found 10 boxes containing 4,958 vape cartridges.
The haul weighed 9.42 litres and was valued at up to RM7.29 million (around S$2.2 million).
Authorities said the syndicate operated from rented luxury condominiums in Kuala Lumpur. Drugs were allegedly packaged there before being shipped overseas.
Syndicate operations and payments
Investigations suggest the operation began in March 2025.
Three suspects were reportedly paid between S$100 and S$200 daily, while Tan allegedly kept profits from the syndicate’s earnings.
The NIS estimated that the group attempted to smuggle 20,000 drug-laced vapes each month, potentially fuelling addiction for up to two million people.
If convicted, the four accused face the death penalty or life imprisonment with caning under Malaysian law. The case is currently pending before the courts.
Tan’s past business ventures
Tan was once an engineering student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) before leaving in 2019.
That year, Lianhe Zaobao reported he co-ran a bak chor mee stall in Ang Mo Kio with a schoolmate.
The stall, originally established in 1965 by his wife’s grandfather, eventually closed.
Afterwards, Tan pursued various business ventures in Singapore, including roles as director of companies involved in nightclubs, food and beverage outlets, and vehicle rental.
ST reported that after Tan’s arrest, some of his associates contacted his former business partners in Singapore. They allegedly demanded S$300,000 to “pay the police” and secure Tan’s release.
The partners rejected the request, alerted police, and removed Tan from the firm’s directorship records.
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