Ring Smuggling and Distributing 'Second Propofol' in E-Cigarette Cartridges Busted in Massive Crackdown

Police have apprehended some 30 individuals involved in distributing or administering etomidate, a sleep anesthetic dubbed the "second propofol" that was newly designated as a narcotic six months ago.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's narcotics crime investigation unit announced today (August 20) that it has booked 32 suspects on charges including violations of the Narcotics Control Act, with 13 of them taken into custody.

Among those booked, six face charges of smuggling etomidate.

Fifteen are charged with distribution, and 11 with purchasing and administering the substance.

Police confiscated 120 million won in criminal proceeds, along with 2 liters of etomidate valued at 1.2 billion won and 1,400 e-cigarette cartridges used to subdivide and distribute the drug.

An Interpol red notice has been issued for one overseas kingpin who masterminded the smuggling, and international cooperative investigations are underway regarding another overseas ringleader.

Police stated they confirmed that ordinary citizens with no prior narcotics records joined in the etomidate smuggling and distribution crimes for financial gain.

A man in his 30s, identified by the surname A, was arrested for smuggling 1 liter of etomidate hidden in cosmetic containers from Thailand to Incheon International Airport between June and July. Investigations revealed he jumped into the crime after receiving an offer from a younger cousin working as an overseas drug dealer while employed as an air conditioner installer.

Another suspect, a man in his 40s identified by the surname B, worked as a tattooist and was confirmed to have plotted the crime with acquaintances including his girlfriend to make money, smuggling 500 milliliters of etomidate hidden in fabric softener packs from Thailand to Incheon International Airport between January and February.

A 20-year-old Vietnamese national identified by the surname C was also found to have contacted an overseas drug dealer via Telegram for money while working as a sailor, and illegally brought 1 liter of etomidate into the country under the dealer's instructions.

Since 2021, etomidate has been utilized in the United States to manufacture new synthetic drugs mixed with other narcotics such as fentanyl.

Police warned that abuse of the substance prevents the secretion of stress defense hormones such as cortisol, causing a sharp drop in blood pressure and abnormal heart rates, which in severe cases can lead to death by shock.

Police carried out an intensive half-year crackdown following the official designation of etomidate as a narcotic on February 13.

Police captured indications that etomidate, which was previously distributed in the form of "injectable ampoules" officially manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, has recently been smuggled into the country and distributed inside e-cigarette liquid cartridges.

In addition, testing of the confiscated etomidate revealed that medetomidine, a non-narcotic veterinary anesthetic, was detected alongside it.

Medetomidine is a new substance frequently detected in illegal distribution processes recently, raising calls for its designation as a controlled narcotic. It is known to cause fatal side effects to the cardiovascular system when administered to humans.

Police stated that as they have captured signs of medetomidine being utilized in narcotics, they have requested relevant authorities to designate it as a controlled substance.

Police noted, "Drug rings are distributing unregulated similar substances to secure drug supplies, while users are blindly exposed to life-threatening risks without even knowing the exact components of the substances they are taking."

Under current laws, only the import, export, and manufacturing of etomidate are subject to aggravated punishment, while distribution lacks provisions for heavy sentencing. Consequently, police have requested legislative improvements from the Ministry of Justice, the competent department.

Police stated, "To block liquid-type synthetic drugs from infiltrating the daily lives of citizens, we plan to continue cracking down from border-level smuggling to domestic distribution networks in cooperation with related agencies including customs."

(Photo: Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.