TAIWAN (TR) – Police have arrested a 64-year-old Taiwanese national for allegedly smuggling a designated illegal drug known on the street as “zombie cigarettes” into Japan through Haneda Airport, reports Fuji News Network (Apr. 21).
Chen Jianguo is accused of smuggling approximately 1.5 kilograms of a liquid containing etomidate on a flight from Malaysia on April 19.
During a routine customs inspection at Haneda Airport, authorities discovered the illicit liquid hidden inside Chen’s suitcase. The drug had been poured into bottles disguised as coconut oil to avoid detection.
Upon his arrest, Chen partially denied the allegations, claiming ignorance about the nature of the contraband.
“I was told by a friend I met on social media that there was a job to deliver items someone had bought, and that I would get a reward,” Chen told investigators. “I did not know the contents were etomidate.”
Tokyo police are continuing its investigation, operating under the suspicion that an international drug smuggling syndicate based in Asia orchestrated the shipment.d
Prohibiting possession and use
Etomidate is a short-acting, intravenous anesthetic used for inducing general anesthesia. It is also known as “zombie cigarettes” because an overdose can cause convulsions in the arms and legs.
To curb its spread, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare officially added it to the list of banned designated drugs in May of last year, strictly prohibiting its possession and use.
