Overview
- Police said the 21-year-old suspect stored about 63.84 grams of liquid containing etomidate at a residence in Urasoe on March 25 for sale.
- The case is being pursued under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act for possession of a specified drug with intent to sell.
- Officers first detained the suspect in Fukuoka on October 2 for on-the-spot cannabis possession, then re-arrested him on October 23 over the etomidate allegation.
- The group allegedly supplied most of the etomidate circulating among Okinawa youths and also dealt cannabis liquid and MDMA.
- Detectives are probing the use of Signal, Telegram and X for recruiting and sales as well as possible yakuza involvement, noting at least ten local etomidate possession cases by late September.