Woman Arrested in Tokyo for Smuggling Record 4kg of Etomidate
Tokyo police arrested Liu Tingyu, a 50-year-old Taiwanese citizen, for smuggling approximately 4 kilograms of etomidate, known as "zombie cigarettes," from Thailand. The record-breaking seizure occurred at Haneda Airport on April 16, 2026, marking the largest confiscation of this controlled substance in Japanese history. Although Liu claimed ignorance, she faces charges under Japan’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. This incident highlights rising demand for the dangerous anesthetic, following recent high-profile abuse cases, including one involving a professional baseball player, prompting calls for stricter prevention measures.
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Woman Arrested for Smuggling Record 4kg of 'Zombie Cigarettes' from Thailand to Japan
The Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo has arrested Liu Tingyu, a 50-year-old Taiwanese citizen, on suspicion of violating Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. Authorities allege that Liu smuggled approximately 4 kilograms of etomidate, a controlled substance known as 'zombie cigarettes,' from Thailand into Haneda Airport on April 16, 2026. This seizure represents the largest amount of etomidate ever confiscated in a single smuggling incident in Japan. Etomidate, an anesthetic ingredient not approved in Japan, was designated as a controlled drug in May 2025 due to severe health risks including convulsions, respiratory depression, and disorders of consciousness. The suspect denied the charges, claiming she borrowed the suitcase from an acquaintance in Taiwan and was unaware of its contents. Investigators noted that this record seizure indicates rising demand for the drug. The article also references a recent case involving a professional baseball player from the Hiroshima Carp who was arrested for using the same substance earlier in the year, highlighting growing concerns about abuse and the need for stricter prevention measures.
asahiWoman Arrested for Smuggling Record 4kg of 'Zombie Cigarettes' from Thailand to Japan
The Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo has arrested Liu Tingyu, a 50-year-old Taiwanese citizen, on suspicion of violating Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. Authorities allege that Liu smuggled approximately 4 kilograms of etomidate, a designated drug known as 'zombie cigarettes,' from Thailand to Haneda Airport on April 16, 2026. The crystals were hidden inside a suitcase. This seizure represents the largest amount of etomidate ever confiscated in a single smuggling incident in Japan, signaling a potential rise in demand for the substance. Etomidate, an anesthetic ingredient approved overseas but prohibited in Japan since May 2025, causes severe health issues such as convulsions, respiratory depression, and disorders of consciousness when abused. The suspect denied the charges, claiming ignorance of the suitcase's contents. This arrest follows recent high-profile cases, including the termination and arrest of a Hiroshima Carp baseball player for similar offenses earlier in the year. Investigators emphasize the need for stricter prevention measures against the abuse of this dangerous pharmaceutical ingredient.
asahiWoman Arrested for Smuggling Record 4kg of 'Zombie Cigarettes' from Thailand to Japan
The Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo has arrested Liu Tingyu, a 50-year-old Taiwanese citizen, on suspicion of violating Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. Authorities allege that Liu smuggled approximately 4 kilograms of etomidate, a designated drug known as 'zombie cigarettes,' from Thailand into Haneda Airport on April 16, 2026. This seizure represents the largest amount of etomidate ever confiscated in a single smuggling incident in Japan. The suspect denied the charges, claiming she borrowed the suitcase from an acquaintance in Taiwan and was unaware of its contents. Etomidate, an anesthetic ingredient not approved in Japan, causes severe health issues such as convulsions, respiratory depression, and disorders of consciousness when abused. It was classified as a designated drug in May 2025, prohibiting its import, possession, and use. Investigators noted that this record seizure indicates rising demand for the substance. The arrest follows earlier incidents involving a professional baseball player from the Hiroshima Carp who was charged for using the same drug. Officials are urging increased prevention efforts against the abuse of this dangerous pharmaceutical ingredient.
asahiWoman Arrested for Smuggling Record 4kg of 'Zombie Cigarettes' from Thailand to Japan
The Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo arrested Liu Tingyu, a 50-year-old Taiwanese citizen, on suspicion of violating Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. Authorities allege that Liu smuggled approximately 4 kilograms of etomidate, a designated drug known as 'zombie cigarettes,' from Thailand into Haneda Airport on April 16, 2026. Customs officials discovered the crystalline substance hidden in a suitcase during a routine inspection, marking the largest seizure of this drug in Japanese history. Although Liu denied knowledge of the contents, claiming she borrowed the suitcase from an acquaintance, she was taken into custody. Etomidate, an anesthetic ingredient unapproved in Japan, causes severe health risks including convulsions and respiratory depression. Its import and possession were prohibited following its designation as a controlled substance in May 2025. Investigators noted that this record seizure indicates rising demand for the drug. The incident follows recent high-profile cases, including the arrest of a professional baseball player earlier this year for similar violations, highlighting growing concerns over the abuse of this dangerous substance within the country.
asahiWoman Arrested for Smuggling Record 4kg of 'Zombie Cigarettes' from Thailand
The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Liu Tingyu, a 50-year-old Taiwanese citizen, on suspicion of violating Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. Authorities allege she smuggled approximately 4 kilograms of etomidate, a designated drug known as 'zombie cigarettes,' from Thailand to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. This seizure marks the largest amount of etomidate ever confiscated in a smuggling incident in Japan. The suspect was caught red-handed when customs officials discovered crystals hidden in a suitcase during an inspection on April 16, 2026. Liu denied the charges, claiming she borrowed the suitcase from an acquaintance in Taiwan and was unaware of its contents. Etomidate, an anesthetic ingredient unapproved in Japan, causes severe health issues like convulsions and respiratory depression. Its import and possession were prohibited after it was designated a controlled substance in May 2025. Investigators noted that this record seizure indicates rising demand for the drug. The incident follows recent arrests involving a professional baseball player from the Hiroshima Carp team for similar violations earlier in the year, highlighting growing concerns over the abuse of this dangerous substance.
asahi