Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Announces Results of Medical Narcotics Crackdown
Doctors and recipients who illegally prescribed or used methylphenidate (an ADHD medication), which has been mistakenly referred to as a "study aid," have been apprehended by prosecutors. A doctor who administered propofol nearly 1,000 times and earned 800 million won in illegal profits was also caught.
The Violent Crime Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, led by Chief Prosecutor Lee Taesoon, announced the results of the "2025 Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office Crackdown on Medical Narcotics Crimes" on December 28.
This year, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office booked a total of 41 suspects for medical narcotics offenses. Of these, six were indicted and detained, while 18 were indicted without detention. Thirteen individuals, who were deemed capable of returning to society, were granted suspension of indictment, and four cases are still pending a decision and remain under suspension of indictment.
Key cases include the indictment and detention of Doctor A, who repeatedly administered propofol 989 times to 62 people over three years starting in March 2021, earning approximately 800 million won in profits. Three recipients were indicted without detention.
Doctor B, who illegally prescribed around 20,000 tablets of ADHD medication, sleeping pills, and diet pills over a period of more than six years since 2018, was also indicted without detention. Doctor C, who operated a plastic surgery clinic, received 500 million won from 10 people for 75 propofol administrations, falsified medical records, and is accused of sexually assaulting a female victim who lost consciousness; he was also indicted without detention. In addition, suppliers who illegally distributed etomidate-known as the "second propofol"-and earned about 1 billion won were apprehended by prosecutors.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office launched a dedicated medical narcotics investigation team in February last year and has conducted intensive crackdowns. An official from the prosecutors' office stated, "Since last month, we have expanded and reorganized the medical narcotics investigation team from one to two teams to strengthen our response capabilities," adding, "We will continue to strictly crack down on illegal distribution of medical narcotics and support the proper reintegration of users into society."
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