The investigation began in 2024 when Shandong police flagged a pharmaceutical technology company that had purchased unusually large quantities of six precursor chemicals for etomidate.
Etomidate, a potent synthetic drug banned as a state‑controlled substance in 2023 after reports of overdose deaths, is commonly found in illicit 'zombie vapes'.
Police traced the purchases to Huang, a chemistry graduate with a master’s degree who had worked at the firm for just three months before abandoning his role to lead the illegal operation.
Wu, a retired professor from a local college, was dubbed the 'Heisenberg' of the ring; he engineered the production process and used his academic contacts to set up hidden labs in five Chinese cities, masquerading them as medical research facilities.
Joint raids by Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Cambodian authorities seized 73 kg of finished etomidate, five tonnes of active ingredients and a full array of laboratory equipment, while Huang reportedly earned over 5 million yuan ($750,000) from the scheme.
All 71 suspects are now awaiting trial, with prosecutors preparing to charge them for drug trafficking and related offenses.