'Distribution of 40,000 Doses of Philopon' Drug Kingpin Arrested in South Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Narcotics Crime Investigation Unit announced that it has arrested 24 people, including Mr. A, a man in his 50s who is the head of the domestic operation, on charges of smuggling a large quantity of methamphetamine from Thailand and manufacturing and distributing it domestically (violation of the Narcotics Control Act), and booked 57 others without detention. Among them were three people who manufactured and managed methamphetamine with Mr. A, 29 domestic distributors and sellers, and 48 possessors and users.

According to the police on the 17th, they are suspected of smuggling 1.2 kg of methamphetamine from Thailand from May last year to February 18 of this year, and manufacturing and distributing some of it domestically. This amount is enough for 40,000 people to use simultaneously and is worth 4 billion KRW on the market. In particular, the police seized 730g of finished methamphetamine products manufactured and stored by Mr. A, as well as chemicals and equipment necessary for methamphetamine production, at the scene. The total amount of methamphetamine seized during the investigation was 1.2 kg, enough for 40,000 people to use simultaneously.

They also identified the overseas methamphetamine supply head in Southeast Asia and requested the local police to arrest him. The organization divided roles such as smuggling, manufacturing, sales head, and management. Mr. A, who was in charge of the operation, showed meticulousness in the crime by always accompanying an assistant to avoid the police investigation network, verifying the identity of the counterpart, and conducting transactions only through the assistant, not himself.

A police official said, "It is very meaningful that after obtaining related intelligence through close cooperation with the National Intelligence Service in April last year, we not only arrested the head who led smuggling and nationwide distribution but also proved the charge of methamphetamine manufacturing," adding, "We will not neglect crackdowns on supply offenders, including manufacturing, as well as smuggling and sales offenders."