China busts ‘Breaking Bad’-style drug racket led by retired chemistry professor

{"heading_1":"The Investigation","subheading_1":"Initial Discovery","content_1":"Police in Shandong province noticed unusual purchases of chemicals used to manufacture etomidate, a controlled substance used in e-cigarettes. The purchases were traced to Huang, a chemistry graduate who worked at a pharmaceutical company for three months before resigning.","subheading_2":"Network Structure","content_2":"Investigators discovered Huang frequently traveled between Zibo and Shenzhen, where he spent several days with Wu, a retired chemistry professor. Wu is accused of designing and refining the manufacturing process and using his connections to secure laboratory space in factories across five Chinese cities.","subheading_3":"Operation Across Countries","content_3":"The network operated across China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Precursor chemicals were manufactured in China, then converted into the finished drug in these countries. The network used its technical expertise to improve production methods and exploit regulatory loopholes.","subheading_4":"Collaboration and Coordination","content_4":"Wang, an e-cigarette seller with an international logistics company, arranged for the chemicals to be transported in small quantities and helped move manufacturing equipment between locations. The police dismantled seven bases operated by the network across Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, leading to 71 arrests and the seizure of 73 kg of etomidate and several pieces of laboratory equipment."}