Inter-agency Crackdown on Residential Drug Labs Prevents "Zombie Vape Cartridges" from Hitting the Market

Prosecutors of this Office directed a joint task force—comprising the Chiayi City Investigation Station (MJIB), the Chiayi City Police Bureau, the Taichung City Police Bureau (3rd Precinct), the Coast Guard Administration (Changhua Reconnaissance Group), and the Aviation Police Bureau (Kaohsiung Branch)—to investigate a joint drug production and trafficking operation involving defendants Huang (born 1975), Su (born 1991), and Chen (born 1990). Following a long-term undercover investigation and evidence gathering, multiple waves of searches were conducted in January 2026 under warrants issued by the Chiayi District Court. The operation successfully dismantled a drug laboratory hidden within a Chiayi City residence and intercepted trafficking chains across Chiayi, New Taipei, and Kaohsiung.

Case Background and Modus Operandi

The investigation revealed that an individual named Huang (Spring) smuggled Etomidate (commonly known as the raw material for "Zombie Vape Cartridges") and 2-Bromo-4'-methylpropiophenone (a Category 4 drug precursor) into Taiwan from Mainland China via concealed postal parcels. The syndicate operated with a highly sophisticated division of labor:

• Huang (Jie): Responsible for collecting the parcels and delivering the raw materials to accomplices at the "Zhuzi Temple" in Chiayi City.

• Su: Rented a residential property in Chiayi City as a front, using distillation and other refining processes to manufacture finished Etomidate.

• Chen: Responsible for transporting raw materials south to Kaohsiung for downstream distribution.

Seizures and Legal Action

During the raids, the task force dismantled the laboratory and seized 57 items of professional equipment, including rotary evaporators and vacuum machines. Authorities confiscated:

• 13.656 kg (net weight) of pure finished Etomidate.

• 29.081 kg of drug precursors.

• Total Weight: Over 40 kg of illicit substances.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office has officially indicted Huang (Jie) and Su on charges of manufacturing and trafficking Category 2 narcotics, and Chen for trafficking Category 4 narcotics.

Statement from Chief Prosecutor Tsai Tzung-Shi

"Etomidate causes severe damage to the human nervous system and has been linked to a surge in recent social incidents. This Office maintains a 'Zero Tolerance' policy. By integrating the resources of the police, investigators, coast guard, and customs, we are implementing a 'Trace-to-the-Source' strategy to prevent drugs from entering our communities. We will continue to strengthen cross-border cooperation to intercept drugs at the border, sever supply chains, and protect the health and safety of our citizens."