Story perspectives
Southern Japan Battles Surge of 'Zombie Cigarettes' Crisis
11/17/2025
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Story summary
- Authorities in southern Japan are alarmed by the rise of 'zombie cigarettes'—vape liquids linked to etomidate.
- By late September, ten people were arrested in Okinawa for possessing etomidate, a drug banned since May.
- Police apprehended Yuto Agarie, a suspected drug syndicate leader, for storing 63.84 grams of etomidate for sale.
- Three Chinese men were arrested for smuggling etomidate from India.
- The drug is increasingly inhaled from vape devices.
