German Volkswagen executive expelled from China over positive drug test

A senior executive working for German car giant Volkswagen in China has been expelled from the country after allegedly testing positive for drugs following a holiday in Thailand, German officials confirmed Tuesday.

Jochen Sengpiehl was detained and told to quickly leave the country after Chinese officials said they had detected traces of cannabis and cocaine in his blood on his return from Thailand, according to German media reports.

The German foreign ministry said it was “aware of the case” and its Beijing embassy was “in regular contact with the person concerned and his family, as well as with the local authorities”.

Sengpiehl was interrogated for hours before being put behind bars, Germany’s Bild tabloid reported.

He remained in custody for more than 10 days before VW and German embassy officials succeeded in getting him released – but he had to leave the country immediately, Bild said. Volkswagen declined to comment.

China has extremely tough anti-narcotics laws.