Suspicious 'Tong Keun Pants'... 4.3 Billion Won Worth of Drugs Hidden in Underwear

Purchased Drugs in Thailand Brought into Incheon Airport
340,000 Doses Distributed Mainly in Gangnam Clubs

A group of about 20 people who smuggled drugs such as ketamine, enough for 340,000 doses, from Thailand and distributed them domestically have been brought to trial.

The defendant hiding drugs inside baggy pants.
[Photo by Incheon District Prosecutors' Office]

On the 30th, the Violent Crime Investigation Division of Incheon District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Yeon-sil) and the Investigation Bureau of Incheon Airport Customs announced that they had arrested and indicted 25 people, including Mr. A (30), on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (psychotropic substances). The prosecution also indicted two others, including Mr. B (31), without detention on the same charges.

Mr. A and others are accused of smuggling 17.2 kg of ketamine, ecstasy, methamphetamine, and other drugs from Thailand and distributing them domestically from December 2021 to last July.

The ketamine brought into the country by Mr. A and his group amounts to enough for about 340,000 doses, valued at approximately 4.3 billion KRW.

They were acquaintances who frequented clubs in the Gangnam area of Seoul or worked as MDs (professionals who attract club customers), dividing roles such as financiers, recruiters, and couriers.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The couriers, known as 'jigeggun,' were found to have hidden drugs wrapped in plastic wrap inside their underwear and entered Incheon Airport wearing baggy pants. One member of the organization even entrusted couriers who were his girlfriend and younger sister.

The ketamine they smuggled was sold in 100g units to club MDs, who then subdivided it and sold it to club customers for profit.

The prosecution and customs analyzed entry and exit patterns, extracted a list of suspected drug smugglers, and conducted a joint investigation based on this, leading to the arrest of Mr. A and his group.

The prosecution stated, "At the time of arrest, they belonged to four different organizations, but depending on the situation, they recruited accomplices to smuggle and distribute drugs and then immediately dispersed, conducting their criminal activities in various forms such as 'atypical, sporadic, and short-term'."

Drugs wrapped in plastic wrap.
Photo by Incheon Jigeum

Meanwhile, ketamine is a psychotropic drug known among young people as a 'club drug.' It is cheaper than methamphetamine and cocaine and is often mixed into alcohol or beverages, raising concerns that it can be secretly ingested by others.

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