Prosecutors Arrest and Indict Group Selling Marijuana on Dark Web... First Application of Criminal Organization Act

Hemp Cultivation Bust Site / Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] A group that sold marijuana worth hundreds of millions of won through the 'Dark Web' has been brought to trial. For the first time, the charge of 'criminal organization' was applied in relation to their marijuana distribution and sales crimes.

On the 15th, the Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Yonghwan) indicted five people, including Kim, the mastermind of the dark web drug distribution organization, on charges of organizing a criminal group and violating the Narcotics Control Act, and also indicted two other members who had already been detained in a separate marijuana sales case.

Kim is accused of organizing a criminal group from November 2017 to April of this year, selling marijuana worth approximately 230 million won (about 1,992 grams) 243 times through the dark web, and cultivating 332 marijuana plants.

In particular, the cultivation manager grew marijuana in a factory building located on the outskirts of the city and supplied it, while the communication manager moved between several dark web sites to advertise marijuana sales and secure buyers. Additionally, the delivery manager concealed narcotics near residential areas in cities such as Seoul and Busan and informed the communication manager of the locations, distributing about 1,992 grams of marijuana over more than three years.

The prosecution seized all approximately 300 marijuana plants (about 30 kg) that were being cultivated and requested confiscation of criminal proceeds amounting to about 390 million won obtained through marijuana sales in Bitcoin.

A prosecution official explained the reason for applying the charges of organizing, joining, and engaging in activities of a criminal organization under the Criminal Act, stating, "It has been confirmed that they executed marijuana sales crimes in an organized and repetitive manner by establishing an organic role-sharing system centered on the mastermind, rather than being simple accomplices."

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