{
  "id": 2096830,
  "title": "32 booked, 13 detained over alleged distribution of newly classified narcotic etomidate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/32-booked-13-detained-over-alleged-distribution-of-newly-classified-2096830",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T08:07:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20260820/32-booked-13-detained-over-alleged-distribution-of-newly-classified-narcotic-etomidate"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent surge in arrests and seizures has targeted individuals involved in the alleged distribution of a newly classified narcotic known as etomidate, a sleep anesthetic. According to police reports, 32 people have been booked, with 13 of them currently in detention. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency confiscated 2 liters of the drug, valued at 1.2 billion won ($861,468), along with 1,400 e-cigarette cartridges used for mixing and distributing the liquid. Authorities also seized 120 million won in criminal proceeds. An Interpol red notice has been issued for a global mastermind behind the smuggling operations, while international cooperation is underway to apprehend a second key suspect abroad. The analysis revealed that the confiscated etomidate was a mixture with medetomidine, a non-narcotic veterinary anesthetic that can lead to fatal cardiovascular side effects. Police have called for stricter regulations on medetomidine, which is not classified as a controlled narcotic despite numerous instances of illegal distribution. The police warn that users are at severe risk, unaware of the exact components of the substances they consume.",
  "summary": "Police said Thursday they have booked 32 individuals, with 13 of them in detention, for allegedly smuggling, distributing or administering etomidate, a sleep anesthetic newly classified as a narcotic six months ago. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency seized 2 liters of the drug worth 1.2 billion won ($ 861,468) and 1,400 e-cigarette cartridges used to portion and distribute the liquid.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "32 booked, 13 detained over alleged distribution of newly classified narcotic etomidate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/32-booked-13-detained-over-alleged-distribution-of-newly-classified",
        "published": "2026-08-20T07:52:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}