'Drug Queen Iris' Sentenced to 9 Years in First Trial... Court Says "Crime Not Acceptable"'
[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] A court has handed down a heavy sentence to a female drug supplier who used the nickname 'Iris' on a mobile messenger and smuggled large quantities of drugs into South Korea for sale.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 33 (Presiding Judge Donghwan Son) sentenced Ji Mo (44), who was indicted for violating the Narcotics Control Act (psychotropic substances) and other charges, to 9 years in prison and ordered a fine of 6.6 million won on the 25th. The court stated, "The defendant smuggled large quantities of drugs from the United States to South Korea 14 times, making the case serious and the crime severe," adding, "Not only were some methamphetamines distributed domestically, but the defendant's method of hiding the remaining drugs to avoid detection was quite sophisticated, so if the investigation agencies had not recognized it, there is a high possibility that the drugs were actually distributed."
Earlier, Ji was prosecuted for smuggling methamphetamine and marijuana worth 23 million won into South Korea 14 times from January to October 2015 using international mail from the United States. The amount of methamphetamine Ji brought in was reportedly enough for about 3,000 people to use. According to the prosecution's investigation, Ji installed 'WeChat,' China's representative messenger app, on her smartphone and took orders for narcotics while chatting with Koreans and others. She was especially known for operating under the name 'Iris' and supplying large quantities of drugs, earning her the nickname 'Drug Queen.'
Hot Picks Today
"Stocks Are Not Taxed, but Annual Crypto Gains Over 2.5 Million Won to Be Taxed Next Year... Investors Push Back"
- "Even With a 90 Million Won Salary and Bonuses, It Doesn’t Feel Like Much"... A Latecomer Rookie Who Beat 70 to 1 Odds [Scientists Are Disappearing] ③
- "Who Is Visiting Japan These Days?" The Once-Crowded Tourist Spots Empty Out... What's Happening?
- "Am I Really in the Top 30%?" and "Worried About My Girlfriend in the Bottom 70%"... Buzz Over High Oil Price Relief Fund
- "It Has Now Crossed Borders": No Vaccine or Treatment as Bundibugyo Ebola Variant Spreads [Reading Science]
South Korean and U.S. judicial authorities tracked Ji for over a year starting in November 2015 and arrested her in June 2016 in Los Angeles, USA. The South Korean Ministry of Justice requested extradition from the U.S. government in July 2016, and the U.S. court decided on extradition in March 2019. Once the extradition decision was made, the escort team traveled to the U.S. and brought Ji back. It was 3 years and 9 months after her arrest in the United States.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
