[Exclusive] Police Inconsistent in Drug Testing... All 6 Types of Multi-Products Recalled

Drug Rapid Test Errors Reported in Seoul, Gwangju, Busan, and Other Areas
Police Identify Issues in '6-Type Multi Product'
Plan to Switch to Single Product Soon

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Amid a recent surge in drug-related crimes, controversy continues over the accuracy of drug rapid test kits. This is due to discrepancies between the results of kit tests conducted by the police and those from the National Forensic Service.

Seven Cases This Year Changed from 'Positive' to 'Negative'... Drug Offenders Misunderstood and Released

According to the 'Status of Errors in Drug Rapid Test Kits' received by Jeong Woo-taek, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the People Power Party, from the National Police Agency on the 7th, a total of eight errors occurred in drug rapid test kits from January to last month this year. Among these, seven cases initially showed positive reactions on the test kits but were later changed to negative following detailed analysis by the National Forensic Service.

Actor Lee Sang-bo, who was recently arrested on suspicion of drug use, also had differing results between the rapid test kit and the National Forensic Service. Earlier, the police announced that the drug rapid test detected positive reactions for drug components such as morphine, benzodiazepines, and tricyclic antidepressants. However, the National Forensic Service's detailed analysis found no morphine in Lee's urine and hair samples. Consequently, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul decided not to prosecute Lee, stating there was no evidence to consider him a drug user.

A police official explained, "Errors can occur in drug rapid test kits," adding, "Positive reactions may result from the combined effects of medications regularly taken." They further noted that arrests are made based on a comprehensive assessment including speech and behavior, in addition to the rapid test kit results.

In February, the first drug rapid test kits conducted by the Gangseo Police Station in Seoul and the Gwangju Police Agency detected the presence of ecstasy (MDMA), but subsequent results from the National Forensic Service found no ecstasy, leading to a final negative verdict. Similarly, discrepancies between rapid test kit results and National Forensic Service findings were observed at the Busan Police Agency, Gwangju Dongbu Police Station, and Uiseong Police Station in Gyeongbuk.

National Police Agency Recalls All Six-Compound Multi-Product Kits: "Need to Detect New Drugs"

The National Police Agency analyzed that the errors originated from a specific manufacturer's six-compound multi-product kits. A police official stated, "We are currently recalling all six-compound multi-product kits used in the field and are negotiating with the manufacturer to replace them with single-compound products." Criminal investigation officers in the field also mention that if the accuracy of the kits declines, it could significantly hinder future discretionary investigations. The interpretation is that trust in test results will decrease, leading to less cooperation in investigations.

Experts unanimously agree on the need to improve the accuracy of test results and to filter out new types of drugs. Professor Kim Do-woo of the Department of Police Science at Gyeongnam National University said, "It is necessary to distinguish psychotropic drugs that have a complex influence on positive drug reactions," adding, "If the accuracy of test results declines, it will lead to a decrease in the credibility of police investigations." He emphasized, "New drugs such as gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) may not be detected if time passes," and stressed, "Modernization of equipment is also necessary to catch new drugs."

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Jeong pointed out, "The National Police Agency should not just blame the reagent manufacturers but take practical measures to improve the accuracy of the tests."