32 booked, 13 detained over alleged distribution of newly classified narcotic etomidate

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has made significant arrests in connection with the alleged distribution of etomidate, a newly classified narcotic. Thirty-two individuals were booked, with 13 currently in detention, for their alleged roles in smuggling, distributing, or administering the substance. Authorities seized 2 liters of the drug, valued at 1.2 billion won ($861,468), along with 1,400 e-cigarette cartridges used in the distribution process.

Additionally, 120 million won in criminal proceeds were confiscated. An Interpol red notice has been issued for a key suspect overseas, and international cooperation is underway to apprehend another suspect. The etomidate found in the seizure was mixed with medetomidine, a non-narcotic veterinary anesthetic, which can lead to fatal cardiovascular complications.

Police have called for stricter regulation of medetomidine, despite it not being classified as a controlled narcotic, due to the frequent illegal distribution cases and the life-threatening risks posed to users who are unaware of the exact components in the substances they consume.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.