TOKYO (TR) – Tokyo Metropolitan police have arrested a 28-year-old man over the alleged possession of the anesthetic etomidate in Shibuya Ward earlier this year. The arrest is the first of its kind, police said.
According to Nippon News Network (Nov. 27), the man is suspected of possessing 3.1 grams of an e-cigarette liquid containing the designated drug etomidate in a car parked on a street in Shoto in August.
During questioning, the man admitted to the charges. He said, “I started using it around April, and I had it for myself to smoke.”
Police checked the vehicle after deemed it be suspicious and made the discovery.
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.
This is the first time that someone has been arrested on suspicion of possession of etomidate in Tokyo since it was became a designated drug in May.
