After taking a part-time job that would eventually lead to his imprisonment, a 20-year-old guy getting ready for his National Service found he was in significant legal hot water. Now twenty-one, Tan Teck Jin was discovered in Singapore, the largest such haul the country has seen thus far, caught amid a major crackdown on illegal electronic vapes and their components. Authorities discovered shockingly 130,000 sets of e-cigarettes and over 60,000 vape pods in total, estimated street worth of S$3.1 million (about US$2.3 million).
Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, specifically for having imitation tobacco goods and vaporisers meant for sale, Tan admitted guilt to two charges on October 7, 2024. His story has sparked a lot of discussions on the responsibilities of employment and the effects of young people participating in illegal activities, especially in environments that might not give legality or ethical standards top attention.
Employment obligations and specifics
Tan paid about S$20 an hour for a 9 AM to 6 PM shift at a Mandai warehouse, and worked packing items. Among his responsibilities were receiving delivery orders via a laptop at the warehouse configured on a Telegram account. Next he would aid with label printing, compile the items listed on the orders, and pack them for delivery. Once packed, the items were given to a driver just known as “Cat,” who assisted couriers in delivering them to customers. Usually collecting cash, these couriers brought the returns back to Cat.
For his work, Tan paid in cash roughly S$3,000 in January 2023. At least once, he said, his pay was paid on his behalf from Malaysia, suggesting the international aspect of the business in which he had unwittingly become involved.
Beginning on the evening of March 28, 2023, police arrested six persons at a multi-story car park linked to the illegal e-cigarettes trade. These items originated from the Mandai storage, thus the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) responded fast. Police apprehended See Hong Jian, an accomplice, outside the warehouse early in the following morning before starting a raid exposing the vast stockpile of counterfeit tobacco products and components.
Tan arrived for work that day and was held among five others shortly afterwards. The authorities seized items valued S$3,121,328 together with six handphones and a laptop believed to be used for client contact via Telegram and WhatsApp. These tools revealed talks on buy pricing, payment methods, and order data. Investigations also exposed the worldwide nature of the company since consumer money was frequently moved to Malaysia for supplier settlement.
Arguments Defense and Legal Trials
During the hearing, Tan’s legal team emphasized several points in their case when they asked for probation instead of a more harsh penalty. “He was not told exactly what he had to do nor did he ask about it,” attorney Mr. Tang Shangwei stated, pointing out Tan’s overall ignorance of the complete consequences of his employment. They stated that Tan simply followed his company policies without considering the legality of the conduct he engaged in. He usually worked as a packer without any supervising or managerial responsibility.
The proceedings also covered Tan’s background professionally. At sixteen, he began working part-time to gain experience and help his parents by easing the financial strain. Including sales promotion, warehouse packer, banquet attendant, baker, and store attendant, his former employment proved his commitment to working and picking practical talents.
Character Notes and Rehabilitation Programs
Tan’s lawyers stressed his positive contributions following the incident to bolster their mercy appeal. They pointed out that this was his first offense and that a big wake-up call came from the shock of the investigations. Tan began his National Service as a special constable in the Singapore Police Force following his arrest; supposedly he has maintained a spotless record.
Mr. Tang highlighted Tan’s commitment to personal growth by noting that he has continued boxing and recently finished first in the Singapore Boxing Federation’s January National Championship. Mr. Tang remarked, “It is clear from the above that Teck Jin’s trajectory for rehabilitative progress is promising,” noting a note from Tan’s course manager supporting his favorable improvement.
Actions Later on and Penalties
As the judicial procedures continue, the court has delayed the sentence till November 5, 2024. Tan’s case will not only define his future but also function as a more general meditation on the responsibilities of young people in the economy, particularly in fields that can operate outside legal limits.
At last, Tan Teck Jin’s narrative acts as a sobering warning of the risks associated with part-time work in illegal sectors, especially for young people. It underlines the importance of awareness and education about legal implications in employment as well as the option for rehabilitation and atonement for persons who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Thinking about the wider implications for legal duty in Singapore and youthful employment, the community keeps close watch as the court gets ready to pronounce its decision.
