Japan battles drug crisis as youths get hooked on ‘zombie cigarettes’
The etomidate-laced vapes are spreading via social media, prompting nationwide vigilance and crackdowns on trafficking
By the end of September, 10 people, mostly in their teens and 20s, had been arrested in Okinawa prefecture for possessing etomidate. In May, the Japanese government designated the substance, which is known to depress cerebellar neuronal activity essential for body coordination, as a prohibited drug.
In October, police arrested Yuto Agarie, the leader of a drug trafficking syndicate, for allegedly storing some 63.84 grams (0.14lbs) of etomidate-containing liquid at home in Urasoe with the intent to sell, they said on Thursday. The local police suspect the group was the main supplier of the drug in the prefecture.
Used commonly in anaesthesia induction for surgeries overseas, abuse of the drug can result in loss of consciousness or control of the body as well as spasms in the hands and legs. The Japanese government has banned the use, possession and import of the substance in principle.
The drug is advertised on secure messaging apps and has been spread via social media, investigative sources said. In many cases, etomidate is inhaled from an electronic cigarette or vape device, coming in flavoured or unflavoured varieties.
Hong Kong officially renames ‘space oil’ drug as etomidate
In August and September, three Chinese nationals in their 20s living near Tokyo were arrested for allegedly smuggling around 100 grams of etomidate from India via Singapore.