Report by Man in His 20s in Hallucinatory State Leads to Arrest of Man in His 30s for Inhaling Liquid Marijuana

Wando Coast Guard Apprehends Three for New Liquid Marijuana
Tracking Payments Made Through Virtual Asset Remittance Agencies

Three people, including a man in his 30s who purchased and inhaled the new drug "liquid marijuana," were arrested by the police. Among them, one person was taken into custody.

The Wando Coast Guard Station announced on the 16th that it had apprehended three individuals, including Mr. A (a man in his 30s), on charges of purchasing and inhaling the new drug "liquid marijuana," which is consumed in the form of an electronic cigarette. Mr. A was formally arrested and referred to the prosecution.

Three people, including a man in his 30s who purchased and inhaled the new drug "liquid marijuana," were arrested by the police. Photo by Wando Coast Guard Station

According to the Wando Coast Guard, Mr. A and Mr. B (a man in his 20s) inhaled liquid marijuana together near Mr. A's residence in Jangheung County, South Jeolla Province, on May 1. Mr. B entered a hallucinatory state and voluntarily reported himself to a nearby Coast Guard police station. Upon realizing that the police were on their way, Mr. A hurriedly hid the liquid marijuana he possessed in a nearby wooded area. However, officers who arrived at the scene discovered the substance in the bushes, securing decisive evidence.

The Wando Coast Guard immediately arrested Mr. A and sent his urine and hair samples to the National Forensic Service for analysis, which confirmed a positive drug reaction in his urine. Further analysis of Mr. A’s confiscated mobile phone led to the arrest of an additional suspect, Mr. C (a man in his 30s), for drug-related offenses. It was also discovered that Mr. A paid for the liquid marijuana through a virtual asset remittance agency.

The police charged Mr. A not only with violating the Narcotics Control Act but also with violating the Act on Real Name Financial Transactions and Guarantee of Secrecy.

The liquid marijuana detected in this case, known as "Braak," is a new type of drug classified as a synthetic psychotropic substance, unlike traditional marijuana. It induces strong hallucinations and high addiction when inhaled. It is mainly distributed through non-face-to-face channels such as Telegram and social media, and is paid for with virtual assets, making it difficult for investigative agencies to trace. The substance is rapidly spreading among young people, raising significant social concerns.

A Wando Coast Guard official stated, "We will mobilize all our investigative capabilities and do our utmost to crack down on drug crimes to eradicate drugs that threaten public safety."