59 Arrested for Illegal Sale and Purchase of Controlled Appetite Suppressants... Mostly Teenage Female Students

106 Tablets of Designated Narcotic 'Nabiyak' Seized
77.9% Are Teenagers...Resale via SNS
Police Request Cooperation from Ministry of Education, MFDS, and KCC

Pesticide seized by the police. Provided by Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Fifty-nine individuals in their teens and twenties who illegally sold and purchased the drug "Dietamin" (known as Nabi-yak), designated as a narcotic but used as an appetite suppressant, were arrested by the police.

On the 16th, the Drug Crime Investigation Division of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced that they are investigating 59 people, including eight sellers such as Mr. A, who obtained prescriptions for the narcotic (psychotropic drug) Nabi-yak under other people's names and sold it through social networking services (SNS), and 51 buyers such as Mr. B, on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act.

Among them were 18 middle school students, 22 high school students, 9 university students, 8 general public in their twenties, and 2 in their thirties. Of these, 46 teenagers aged 13 to 18 accounted for 77.9%. Except for one high school student, all others were female.

The sellers, including Mr. A, visited hospitals and clinics in Gangwon and Gyeongbuk provinces between March 5 and April 15, obtaining prescriptions for psychotropic drugs under their own or others' names, then either used the drugs or resold them on SNS.

During the investigation, the police seized 106 pills that were in storage. Although one bottle (30 pills) costs 30,000 KRW, it was reported that when resold, each pill was traded for about 5,000 to 6,000 KRW. It is known that eight people directly sold the drug.

This drug is an appetite suppressant prescribed short-term as an adjunct therapy for weight loss in obese patients and is designated as a narcotic. It is nicknamed "Nabi-yak" (Butterfly Drug) because its shape resembles a butterfly, and its active ingredient is "Phentermine," a prescription medicine.

Due to its addictive properties and side effects such as hallucinations and auditory hallucinations, misuse or abuse can cause physical and psychological dependence and tolerance, leading to withdrawal symptoms such as convulsions, coma, psychotic behavior, and in severe cases, death. Therefore, it cannot be prescribed to those under 16 years old.

The police have notified and requested cooperation from related agencies including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the Korea Communications Commission.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.