[Asia Economy Min Jun-young, Intern Reporter] An Uzbek national who distributed a new synthetic marijuana with stronger hallucinogenic effects than traditional marijuana in South Korea has been sentenced to prison.
The Criminal Division 11 of Cheongju District Court (Presiding Judge Jo Hyung-woo) announced on the 8th that it sentenced A (37), an Uzbek national, to four years in prison on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic substances) and the Road Traffic Act (driving without a license).
The court stated, "Drug-related crimes not only devastate an individual's body and mind but can also induce other crimes due to addiction and hallucinations, causing significant harm to society. Considering the motive and means of the crime, the sentence was determined."
A was previously prosecuted for purchasing 3g of the synthetic marijuana "Smaise" for 600,000 won multiple times from last year until April of this year in the Cheongju area of Chungbuk Province and selling it to unspecified individuals.
A is also charged with driving without a license on April 29 on a road in Bongmyeong-dong, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju City.
The police who arrested A at the scene seized 24 packets of Smaise (0.2g per packet) from his clothes, belongings, and car.
Smaise is a type of synthetic marijuana made by adding chemical substances used in insecticides and air fresheners to cigarettes. It is known as a new drug with hallucinogenic effects more than five times stronger than regular marijuana.
Investigations confirmed that A was an illegal immigrant.
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