A senior executive from Volkswagen has been deported from China after allegedly using cocaine and marijuana while vacationing in Thailand, according to reports from German media and Chinese authorities.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Volkswagen employee had been deported following a detention period of 10 days. A police report from Beijing stated that an investigation revealed the 56-year-old individual, referred to only by the initial J, had consumed these drugs on October 5. Consequently, he received an administrative detention sentence that lasted from October 10 to October 20.

German media outlet Bild and several other sources identified the individual as Jochen Sengpiehl, who is listed on LinkedIn as Volkswagen’s chief marketing officer in China. Reports indicated that Sengpiehl tested positive for drug use upon his return from Thailand.

In response to the allegations, Volkswagen has chosen not to provide any comments, citing labor and data protection regulations. China represents a crucial market for the German car manufacturer, which has faced increasing competition from the burgeoning Chinese electric vehicle sector in recent years.

In China, drug use is treated as an administrative offense, carrying a possible punishment of detention for 10 to 15 days along with a fine that can reach up to 2,000 yuan (approximately $280). While Thailand legalized marijuana in 2022, Chinese officials have cautioned that using the substance abroad is considered equivalent to using it within China and is subject to the same legal consequences.