*This content was translated by AI.
The Japanese archipelago was shocked when infielder Ryutaro Hatsuki (26), an active player of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Hiroshima Toyokaf, was arrested on charges of administering a new drug, so-called "zombie cigarette." In particular, as the police investigation has expanded to search and seizure of the club's home base, it is showing signs of spreading to a "drug gate" involving other players. There were even local reports that another player was on the investigation.
According to multiple media outlets, including Finsbah News and Kyodo News, Hiroshima Prefectural Police, which arrested Hatsuki, conducted a surprise raid on the home stadium of Hiroshima, Mazda Stadium, and the club's practice range to discuss the player's habitual medication and see if there were any additional people involved. Currently, the police are investigating whether the player is regularly administering zombie cigarettes.
Shocking news was reported to the Japanese baseball community on the 27th. Hatsuki, an active player and a key opponent of Hiroshima, was arrested as a red-handed offender. Hatsuki is accused of administering "zombie cigarettes" containing "Etomidate," which was designated as a banned drug in Japan, around December 16 last year. On the 27th, after receiving a report from an anonymous informant, the police arrested Hatsuki as a red-handed offender. The urine test showed a "positive reaction." The player himself denies the charges, saying, "I don't remember using them."
"Zombie cigarettes" are another name for "Etomidate," a drug ingredient designated as a prohibited drug. In Japan, it is managed as a 'prohibited drug' due to concerns over misuse and is strictly prohibited from possession or use. In Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety) designated "Etomidate" as a drug in August last year, strengthening its management. In particular, etomidate is a dangerous drug nicknamed "zombie cigarette" because the body convulses when administered and walks like a zombie. Recently, it has rapidly spread among young people in Japan and has emerged as a social problem. It is said to be particularly popular in Okinawa.
It is said that there is a growing possibility of additional involvement of baseball players in the process of investigating whether they are taking habitual drugs and distribution channels. "In the process of tracking down Hatsuki's where-to purchase, the name of a player from West Japan is going up and down," Finsba News said. Depending on the investigation process, professional baseball players can lead to candy-style arrest one after another," he wrote.
In general, Western Japan refers to Japan's official district, which is the western region from the Kansai region to which Osaka belongs. Among the NPB clubs, Hiroshima, Hanshin Tigers, Orix Buffaloes, and Softbank Hawks can be considered to join the Western Japanese club. In particular, if additional arrests become a reality, NPB league operations will inevitably be disrupted.
Hiroshima club manager Takahiro Arai (49) bowed his head, saying, "As a member of the team, it was a lack of awareness and I feel very sorry," but baseball fans' disappointment is growing out of control amid the unprecedented seizure and search of the stadium.
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*This content was translated by AI.
