Abuse of ‘zombie cigarettes’ containing etomidate on rise in Japan’s Okinawa

TOKYO – The abuse of sedative-laced vape liquid in what is called “zombie cigarettes” has been increasing among youth in southern Japan, with investigative authorities stepping up vigilance against its potential spread nationwide.

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 63.84g of etomidate-containing liquid at home in Urasoe with the intent to sell, they said on Nov 13. The local police suspect the group was the main supplier of the drug in the prefecture.

Etomidate is commonly used in anaesthesia induction for surgery 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 spreading 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.

In August and September, three Chinese men in their 20s living near Tokyo were arrested for allegedly smuggling around 100g of etomidate from India via Singapore.

According to the Health Ministry’s Narcotics Control Department, they are suspected of receiving orders via social media, liquefying the powdered substance, packing it in cartridges and repeatedly selling it in person in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime reported in March that etomidate and its analogues have most notably been detected on illicit drug markets in East and South-east Asia, including China, in recent years. KYODO NEWS

JapanSmokingVaping/E-cigarettes