‘Second Propofol’ anesthetic Etomidate disguised as e-cigarettes, 32 arrested in South Korea

South Korean authorities have dismantled a drug trafficking ring that smuggled and distributed Etomidate, a powerful anesthetic often called the 'second Propofol,' by disguising it as e-cigarette cartridges. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced the arrest of 32 individuals, including smugglers and users, on charges related to violating the Narcotics Control Act. Thirteen of those arrested have been detained.

The smuggling operation involved three distinct organizations that allegedly imported Etomidate from countries like Thailand and Vietnam between January and July. The drug was concealed within everyday items such as cosmetic containers, fabric softener packs, and food packaging. Upon arrival in South Korea, the anesthetic was reportedly decanted into e-cigarette cartridges and sold through clandestine, non-face-to-face methods, often referred to as 'throwing' sales.

Notably, the investigation revealed that individuals with no prior drug offenses were directly involved in planning and executing the smuggling and distribution, motivated by financial gain. One suspect, an air conditioner installer, admitted to smuggling Etomidate twice from Thailand at the request of a relative. Another, a tattoo artist, allegedly recruited a foreign girlfriend and a delivery worker to smuggle the drug hidden in fabric softener packs.

Etomidate, a general anesthetic used for inducing sedation during surgery, poses significant health risks when misused. Overdosing or repeated administration can suppress the body's natural hormone production, leading to severe drops in blood pressure and cardiovascular complications. Its potential for abuse led to its classification as a narcotic in South Korea in February.

Authorities are particularly concerned about the new method of distribution, which involves repackaging the drug into e-cigarette cartridges. This form makes it easily accessible and potentially less intimidating to unsuspecting individuals who might perceive it as a novel type of vape. The police also discovered instances where Etomidate was mixed with Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative, further increasing the risk of severe respiratory depression and cardiovascular issues due to synergistic effects. The police have confiscated approximately 2 kilograms of Etomidate, enough to produce 2,000 e-cigarette cartridges, and are pushing for stricter legal penalties for large-scale distribution, as current laws primarily target import and manufacturing rather than extensive distribution networks.

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We will continue to work closely with related agencies like customs to thoroughly block the infiltration of new liquid-type new drugs into people's daily lives, and maintain strong crackdowns from the border import stage to domestic distribution networks.