TOKYO (TR) — Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested a 50-year-old Taiwanese woman on suspicion of smuggling over four kilograms of a designated illegal drug known on the street as “zombie cigarettes” into Japan.
The seizure marks the largest-ever for the substance in the country, reports Nippon News Network (Apr. 18).
Liu Tingyu, whose occupation and residence are unknown, is accused of violating the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act.
According to investigators, Liu arrived at Haneda Airport on a flight from Thailand on April 16. During a baggage inspection, customs officials discovered approximately 4.05 kilograms of etomidate in crystal form, which had been divided into four separate bags and concealed inside a false-bottomed suitcase.
Upon her arrest, Liu denied the allegations, claiming ignorance regarding the luggage’s illicit contents. “I borrowed the suitcase from an acquaintance of an acquaintance in Taiwan,” she told police. “I did not know the etomidate was inside.”
Convulsions in the arms and legs
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.
Given the unprecedented 4-kilogram quantity of the seized narcotics — an amount indicating intended mass distribution rather than personal use — police suspect Liu was operating as a “mule” for a large-scale international drug smuggling syndicate. Authorities are currently investigating the wider trafficking network and supply routes.
