'1+1 Event' 'Vacation Hotspot'... Telegram Drug Rooms Attracting Customers

Price Disclosure and More to Attract Customers
'MayakWiki' Imitating 'Namuwiki' Also Emerges

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] "We are running a 1+1 event for ddeol (slang for marijuana)."

Due to its high security, Telegram plays an important role in online drug transactions, and drug trading is becoming increasingly active on the platform. Sellers have even held events to attract more 'customers' amid the proliferation of drug-selling group chats.

On the 17th, a post appeared in a Telegram drug chat room advertising newly stocked liquid marijuana for sale in real time. The seller posted phrases like "1+1 high quality!" and "New 3-piece set in stock!" Regarding drug purchases, they stated, "We do not send messages first," but said that if buyers express their intention to purchase at any time, the transaction will proceed. Along with photos of drug samples, the price per weight was also explained. The seller added that if they leave the drugs in a secluded location, they will individually inform the buyer of the drop-off spot.

In another drug chat room, a message seemed to encourage buying drugs for summer vacation. The seller said, "Place your order and go on your summer vacation. A summer vacation spot like youth," adding, "The event product period is running out! Don’t miss it if you don’t want to waste the passing summer!" Following this message were prices for synthetic new drugs being sold. They also explained which drugs work well when taken together and sold them bundled like package deals.

Most drug chat rooms publicly shared information such as the types and prices of drugs they sell, transaction areas, and stock quantities, referring to this as a 'menu.' Unlike before, when buyers had to send private messages to sellers to express purchase intentions and receive information, sellers now boldly disclose this information first to attract buyers.

Besides drug-selling chat rooms, Telegram also hosts a chat room called 'Mayak Wiki,' modeled after 'Namuwiki,' an online encyclopedia editable by anyone, which organizes drug usage methods and post-use symptoms. There is also a place explaining how to respond if targeted by police investigations related to drugs. In the first half of this year alone, 5,108 drug offenders were arrested. As drug-related crimes continue to emerge, the police have decided to conduct a 'Second Half Drug Offender Intensive Crackdown' for three months from this month until the end of October. The police will focus on cracking down on drug supply activities, internet drug sales, and drug use in crowded places such as clubs. They also plan to strictly respond to distribution and illegal advertising activities conducted online.