Volkswagen’s Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Product Strategy for China, Jochen Sengpiehl, has been deported after testing positive for cannabis in China.
The test, which was required by the Chinese government as part of a customs procedure, took place after Sengpiehl returned from a holiday in Koh Samui, Thailand. The situation occurred two weeks ago when he arrived in Beijing, the location of Volkswagen Group China’s headquarters, following his trip. He was subjected to a standard drug test, which detected cannabis traces in his system—a substance strictly prohibited by Chinese law, even if used outside the country.
After the test results came in, Chinese authorities detained Sengpiehl for questioning, and it is reported that he has since been deported.
