Taiwanese Woman Arrested for Drug Smuggling, Seizure Amount Sets New Record for Japanese Police
A 50-year-old Taiwanese woman was arrested at Haneda Airport for attempting to smuggle 4kg of Etomidate ('zombie drug') from Thailand, the largest such seizure in Japan.
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- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 12:15
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Central News Agency
(CNA, Tokyo, 18th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department announced today that a 50-year-old Taiwanese woman surnamed Liu was arrested in the act of violating the Law on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices. She is suspected of smuggling about 4 kilograms of Etomidate powder (commonly known as zombie vape cartridges) through Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, this is the largest amount of Etomidate seized by Japanese police to date.
Police explained that on the 16th of this month, the suspect allegedly conspired with accomplices to hide about 4 kg of Etomidate inside checked luggage and smuggled it from Thailand to Haneda Airport, where she was caught during customs inspection.
During interrogation, she denied the charges, stating, "I borrowed the suitcase from a friend and didn't know there was Etomidate inside."
At the time, the Etomidate powder was divided into 4 small packets hidden in a concealed compartment at the bottom of the suitcase. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police believe the suspect may have acted as a drug mule and will investigate the smuggling syndicate behind this operation.
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare listed Etomidate as a designated drug prohibited from possession or use in May of last year.
The medical use of Etomidate is as a short-acting anesthetic. Its abuse has side effects such as hallucinations, anesthesia, muscle spasms, incoordination, and convulsions. It is commonly added to e-cigarette liquids and is known on the street as sleep cartridges, head-hitters, or zombie cartridges.
Etomidate has already been classified as a Category 2 narcotic in Taiwan.
(CNA, Tokyo, 18th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department announced today that a 50-year-old Taiwanese woman surnamed Liu was arrested in the act of violating the Law on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices. She is suspected of smuggling about 4 kilograms of Etomidate powder (commonly known as zombie vape cartridges) through Tokyo's Haneda Airport.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, this is the largest amount of Etomidate seized by Japanese police to date.
Police explained that on the 16th of this month, the suspect allegedly conspired with accomplices to hide about 4 kg of Etomidate inside checked luggage and smuggled it from Thailand to Haneda Airport, where she was caught during customs inspection.
During interrogation, she denied the charges, stating, "I borrowed the suitcase from a friend and didn't know there was Etomidate inside."
At the time, the Etomidate powder was divided into 4 small packets hidden in a concealed compartment at the bottom of the suitcase. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police believe the suspect may have acted as a drug mule and will investigate the smuggling syndicate behind this operation.
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare listed Etomidate as a designated drug prohibited from possession or use in May of last year.
The medical use of Etomidate is as a short-acting anesthetic. Its abuse has side effects such as hallucinations, anesthesia, muscle spasms, incoordination, and convulsions. It is commonly added to e-cigarette liquids and is known on the street as sleep cartridges, head-hitters, or zombie cartridges.
Etomidate has already been classified as a Category 2 narcotic in Taiwan.