In recent years, with the deterioration of social atmosphere in China, the rate of juvenile delinquency has significantly increased. Recently, the Chinese authorities revealed a drug trafficking case in Jiangsu, with the leader being just 17 years old. Some people believe that the Chinese Communist Party’s education system has failed.
According to the official Chinese media, on June 23rd, the JinTan police in Jiangsu announced a new type of drug trafficking case involving the sale of “Superior E-cigarettes”, where the criminals added drugs such as etomidate and isopropylparaben in the e-cigarettes. The drug trafficking group and its users are getting younger, with the head of the drug ring being only 17 years old, known by the nickname “Little Girl”.
In August 2024, JinTan police arrested 4 individuals suspected of using the new drug “Superior E-cigarettes” in a hotel. Urine tests of the 4 drug suspects revealed the presence of the newly controlled substance isopropylparaben. This case led to the arrest of 12 drug trafficking suspects and 38 drug users. Among the members of the drug trafficking group, many were underage, including the leader Wang, nicknamed “Little Girl,” who is only 17 years old.
“Little Girl” first came into contact with “Superior E-cigarettes” at a friend’s gathering three years ago. Since then, she has purchased e-cigarettes containing drugs like etomidate and isopropylparaben multiple times and distributed them with the help of several underage individuals, earning significant profits from it.
As reported by Weibo Flash News, the youngest person known to have smoked the drug-laced e-cigarettes is only 10 years old. Recently, Mr. Zhang discovered his 10-year-old son secretly smoking e-cigarettes at home, which resemble toys and are flavored, despite being prohibited by the country. An investigation revealed that the boy purchased the e-cigarettes from a small supermarket, where authorities seized nearly 50,000 counterfeit e-cigarettes amounting to nearly 20 million RMB. 21 individuals were detained as a result.
The appearance of “Superior E-cigarettes” is similar to regular e-cigarettes, but they contain addictive and harmful substances like etomidate. Etomidate itself has a central nervous system suppressive effect, and users are attracted to the temporary euphoric, relaxing, or intoxicating sensation it provides.
Wang Ze, a resident of Wuhan, expressed to Dajiyuan, “The current trend of youthful crime is mainly caused by two factors. One is the pursuit of grades and advancement rates by schools, where teachers tend to focus on the few students with good academic performance. On the other hand, average students are left to cause trouble in school. Another reason is the significant harm video games have on children. Even children who were good students before become addicted to gaming after exposure to it.”
“These kids nowadays are a lost cause. Even the ones who were good students rarely show empathy towards their parents. It’s all about receiving without giving back. After struggling to send them to college, many end up quitting their jobs shortly after starting and return home to live off their parents. I know too many cases like this around me. The education system in China is a complete failure, raising children who are only interested in personal gain and comparison,” Wang Ze said.
Recently, the official website Guangming Online reported two cases where individuals were sentenced for adding a “new formula” to e-cigarettes. On June 20th, defendants Xu, Huang, and Ye were each sentenced to eight years, six years, and three years in prison, respectively, for selling e-cigarette cartridges containing isopropylparaben in Kailiang County, and were fined.
From early August to mid-September 2024, defendants Xu, Huang, and Ye processed e-cigarette cartridges containing isopropylparaben for sale, earning over 38,000 RMB. During the investigation, 91 cartridges suspected to contain drugs and a bottle of liquid believed to contain isopropylparaben were found at their residence.
On April 16th, a defendant was sentenced to eight months in prison and fined for selling “Superior E-cigarettes” containing isopropylparaben by the Fuding City Court in Fujian Province.
Isopropylparaben is a chemical substance with a structure similar to etomidate, belonging to the carboxyesteramide class of drugs, usually in the form of white powder. It induces anesthesia and sedative effects, similar to propylparaben, metetomidate, and etomidate, and is often used in e-cigarettes as a carrier mixed with e-liquids, commonly known as “Superior E-cigarettes”.
After consuming isopropylparaben, it stimulates the central nervous system, resulting in symptoms such as excitement and hallucinations. Prolonged use can lead to severe physical and mental dependency, causing paranoia, anxiety, panic, and delusions of persecution, posing significant health risks.