Japanese Man Arrested at Narita Airport for Smuggling 'Zombie Drug' Powder from Malaysia

A man in his 50s was arrested at Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture on the 19th on suspicion of smuggling etomidate, a substance increasingly referred to as a 'zombie drug' due to its debilitating physical effects, from Malaysia into Japan.

The suspect has been identified as Masayoshi Koide, an unemployed resident of Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. According to Japanese police, the suspect's luggage was found to contain 601 coffee filters, each packed with white etomidate powder.

During questioning, Koide denied the allegations, stating, 'I was asked by a friend to bring these items, and I was unaware that they contained illegal substances.'

Etomidate is a designated controlled substance in Japan. It has gained international notoriety as a new form of abused drug, often mixed into e-cigarette cartridges. Users of the substance frequently exhibit severe side effects, including muscle spasms and an unsteady gait, leading to the 'zombie-like' state that has earned it its popular moniker. Japanese authorities are currently investigating the possibility of an organized international smuggling network behind the operation.