Drug Precursor Etomidate Acid Unregulated: Interior Minister Says Narcotics Committee to Discuss
Regarding the issue of drug-impaired driving, lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties expressed concern that the precursor chemical 'etomidate acid,' used to make the 'zombie drug,' is not yet regulated. Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang stated that the Ministry of Justice will convene the Narcotics Review Committee on June 17, where the regulation of etomidate acid will be discussed.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 15:34
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(CNA, Taipei, June 3) The issue of drug-impaired driving has drawn widespread attention. Today, lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties raised concerns that etomidate acid, a precursor chemical used to manufacture the 'zombie drug' (etomidate), is not classified as a controlled substance. They called for inter-ministerial coordination. Interior Minister Liu Shih-fang responded that the Ministry of Justice will convene the Narcotics Review Committee on June 17, and the regulation of etomidate acid will be placed on the agenda for discussion.
The Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee held a special report today on 'Strengthening law enforcement capabilities and prevention strategies in response to the surge in drug-impaired driving cases caused by the proliferation of new psychoactive substances,' followed by a question-and-answer session.
Kuomintang legislator Chang Chih-lun questioned that while more drug-impaired driving cases are being caught, the government has not controlled the source of drugs. He mentioned that the Coast Guard Administration's Changhua Investigation Team raided a drug manufacturing plant in Chiayi City in January, seizing a total of 934 kilograms of drugs and raw materials. They discovered a novel manufacturing method that uses the unregulated chemical etomidate acid to produce the second-level narcotic etomidate (the 'zombie drug') for the first time in Taiwan.
Chang noted that etomidate acid is not currently a controlled substance in Taiwan. The Coast Guard Administration hopes the Ministry of Justice will classify it as a Category 4 controlled drug. He pointed out that drug trafficking groups can still legally import it, indicating a major problem in source control, and urged the Ministry of the Interior to coordinate across ministries to combat drug crime.
Minister Liu stated that Premier Cho Jung-tai has already convened a meeting on zero tolerance for drug-impaired driving, which touched upon this issue, and it may be included in regulations. Since the competent authority is the Ministry of Justice, it has been suggested that the regulation of etomidate acid be discussed at the Narcotics Review Committee meeting on June 17.
Ministry of Justice Deputy Minister Feng Cheng said that for precursor materials not yet regulated by law enforcement agencies, if early warning is deemed necessary, the agencies will submit them to the Narcotics Review Committee. In principle, regular meetings are held every three months, and extraordinary meetings can be convened as needed.
Democratic Progressive Party legislator Huang Chieh also stated that the rampant drug-impaired driving problem and the easy availability of 'zombie drugs' are due to the lack of regulation on the source materials, and asked whether related controls would be implemented.
National Police Agency Director-General Chang Jung-hsing stated that relevant management will be carried out, and the Narcotics Review Committee will discuss the regulation of etomidate acid. (Editor: Lee Hsi-chang) 1150603
The Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee held a special report today on 'Strengthening law enforcement capabilities and prevention strategies in response to the surge in drug-impaired driving cases caused by the proliferation of new psychoactive substances,' followed by a question-and-answer session.
Kuomintang legislator Chang Chih-lun questioned that while more drug-impaired driving cases are being caught, the government has not controlled the source of drugs. He mentioned that the Coast Guard Administration's Changhua Investigation Team raided a drug manufacturing plant in Chiayi City in January, seizing a total of 934 kilograms of drugs and raw materials. They discovered a novel manufacturing method that uses the unregulated chemical etomidate acid to produce the second-level narcotic etomidate (the 'zombie drug') for the first time in Taiwan.
Chang noted that etomidate acid is not currently a controlled substance in Taiwan. The Coast Guard Administration hopes the Ministry of Justice will classify it as a Category 4 controlled drug. He pointed out that drug trafficking groups can still legally import it, indicating a major problem in source control, and urged the Ministry of the Interior to coordinate across ministries to combat drug crime.
Minister Liu stated that Premier Cho Jung-tai has already convened a meeting on zero tolerance for drug-impaired driving, which touched upon this issue, and it may be included in regulations. Since the competent authority is the Ministry of Justice, it has been suggested that the regulation of etomidate acid be discussed at the Narcotics Review Committee meeting on June 17.
Ministry of Justice Deputy Minister Feng Cheng said that for precursor materials not yet regulated by law enforcement agencies, if early warning is deemed necessary, the agencies will submit them to the Narcotics Review Committee. In principle, regular meetings are held every three months, and extraordinary meetings can be convened as needed.
Democratic Progressive Party legislator Huang Chieh also stated that the rampant drug-impaired driving problem and the easy availability of 'zombie drugs' are due to the lack of regulation on the source materials, and asked whether related controls would be implemented.
National Police Agency Director-General Chang Jung-hsing stated that relevant management will be carried out, and the Narcotics Review Committee will discuss the regulation of etomidate acid. (Editor: Lee Hsi-chang) 1150603