Around 30 individuals have been apprehended by police for distributing or administering etomidate, a sleep anesthetic newly designated as a narcotic and often referred to as the "second propofol."

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Narcotics Investigation Unit announced today (August 20) that it has booked 32 people on charges including violations of the Narcotics Control Act, and has detained 13 of them.


Among those booked, 6 face charges of smuggling etomidate.

15 are accused of distributing the substance, while 11 face charges of purchasing and administering it.

Police confiscated 120 million won in criminal proceeds from the suspects, alongside 2 liters of etomidate worth an estimated 1.2 billion won and 1,400 e-cigarette cartridges used for portioning and distribution.

An Interpol Red Notice has been issued for one overseas mastermind who led the smuggling operation, and international cooperative investigations are underway regarding another overseas mastermind.

(Photo provided by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Yonhap News)