Police Dismantle New Addictive Drug Network in Hainan

According to a report by the New Beijing News on October 11th, after eight months of extensive investigation, the Second Brigade of the Coastal Police Division of the Hainan Provincial Public Security Department successfully dismantled a new addictive drug network with the support of the Anti-Drug Division and the Public Security Bureau of Wenchang City. A total of 10 suspects were arrested in this network, along with the seizure of 214 "Uptop e-cigarettes", 636 grams of "Uptop e-cigarette liquid", 11 mobile phones related to the case, and cash amounting to 38,200 yuan. The financial transactions involved in the case have exceeded 2 million yuan.

According to a recent investigation, a report from the Fengjia Coast Police Station in Wenchang City revealed that a certain product called "Upper e-cigarette" is being sold on the market. The report states that this product has the potential to cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, mental confusion, excitement, and tingling sensation on the scalp. It is also commonly referred to as the "Flying e-cigarette".

After conducting an investigation, the police have discovered a drug trafficking gang led by a certain Zhao that has been purchasing e-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquids from outside the province and selling them in the city of Wenchang. The quantity of sales has been enormous, involving a large number of individuals, and causing serious negative impacts on society. Upon learning about this, the Second Division of the Coast Police Headquarters immediately established a task force to conduct a thorough investigation. Through continuous investigations in Haikou, Wenchang, as well as Xuwen and Huazhou in Guangdong, the complete organizational structure of this drug trafficking network has been uncovered.

In September of this year, a special task force initiated an operation that successfully dismantled a cross-provincial drug trafficking channel from Guangdong Province to Hainan Province. It is worth noting that these e-cigarettes contain synthetic cannabinoids or ethyl methylphenidate, which can cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and mental confusion with long-term use. Overuse can even lead to shock, asphyxiation, or sudden death.

Starting from July 1, 2021, China officially includes synthetic cannabinoids as a controlled substance. On September 6, 2023, the National Medical Products Administration, Ministry of Public Security, and National Health Commission issued a notice classifying methylphenidate as a second-class psychoactive drug, effective from October 1, 2023. Therefore, the "Shangtou e-cigarette" is a drug rather than a tobacco product. Potential users should be vigilant and avoid falling into the trap of drug abuse. If anyone is found selling or abusing it, please report to the police immediately while ensuring personal safety.