Hubei Aoks Bio-tech, a chemical company located in Wuhan, China facing a 13-count indictment by a U.S. federal grand jury. The indictment accuses the company, along w th its director and three senior employees, of manufactured and exported xylazine and fentanyl precursor chemicals. Xylazine is a drug known as the ‘flesh-eating zombie drug’ due to its side effects.
Hubei Aok’s director, Xuening Gao, aged 38, faces two conspiracy charges, while Guangzhao Gao, the company’s cryptocurrency operator, aged 36, is charged with six felonies related to manufacturing and distribution. Additionally, two sales managers have also been charged for their involvement in the conspiracy.
Four Chinese nationals have been arrested by the Ministry of Public Security in China, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
In April 2023, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy categorized xylazine as an “emerging threat” to public health. This highly addictive substance, notorious for causing necrotic skin wounds, has earned itself nicknames like the ‘flesh-eating’ or ‘zombie’ drug due to its devastating impact on individuals.
According to research conducted by Johns Hopkins University, xylazine has been detected in 48 states and has been linked to nearly 11% of all fentanyl overdose cases by November 2022. This represents a staggering 279% increase since 2019. Initially discovered in street drugs in 2015, the presence of xylazine has significantly surged over the years.
“Those responsible for the devastating impact of synthetic drugs like fentanyl in our country must be held accountable. We have zero tolerance for individuals who profit from this harmful substance,” stated United States Attorney Martin Estrada in a written statement.