'Cheongdam,' Supplier of Drugs to Park Wangyeol, Referred to Prosecution in Custody ... "Admits Charges"

57 Bitcoins Worth 6.8 Billion Won Traced and Seized for Forfeiture

Personal Information Disclosure Scheduled for Tomorrow

Result of Joint Investigation with Thailand

'Cheongdam,' a drug offender who was apprehended in Thailand on charges of supplying narcotics to Park Wangyeol (47), known as 'Telegram Worldwide,' was handed over to prosecutors in custody just ten days after being extradited to South Korea.

On the afternoon of the 11th, Lee Jaehwan, head of the International Narcotics Crime Investigation Division, announced the investigation results regarding 'Cheongdam,' who was sent to prosecution in custody on charges of supplying narcotics to Park Wangyeol at the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the afternoon of the 11th, the Drug Crime Investigation Unit of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency announced in a briefing that Choi (51), who operated under the Telegram nickname 'Cheongdam,' was sent to prosecution in custody earlier that day on charges including violations of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Stimulants) and the Passport Act.

Choi is accused of distributing narcotics worth about 38 billion won (sufficient for 2.1 million simultaneous doses) via Telegram between September 2019 and September 2021. This includes approximately 46 kilograms of methamphetamine, 48 kilograms of ketamine, and about 76,000 tablets of ecstasy (MDMA).

Choi, who was previously engaged in cigarette smuggling in Cambodia, reportedly entered the drug trade after hearing from an acquaintance that "significant profits could be made by selling methamphetamine and other drugs sourced from overseas drug dealers."

Choi operated on Telegram under the names 'Cheongdam' or 'Cheongdam Boss,' referencing Cheongdam-dong in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and sold narcotics in South Korea in exchange for virtual currencies such as Bitcoin.

Choi's family owned high-value real estate in Cheongdam-dong and drove 'supercars.' It was determined that until recently, they had been living a luxurious lifestyle together in Thailand.

During the domestic drug distribution process, Choi was introduced to Park Wangyeol, known as 'Worldwide,' through a drug dealer named 'Sarah Kim,' to whom Choi supplied 2 kilograms of ketamine and about 3,000 tablets of ecstasy.

It was confirmed that 'Sarah Kim,' who acted as the link between the two, became acquainted with Park Wangyeol in 2018 while detained at the Bicutan Immigration Detention Center in the Philippines.

In addition to Park Wangyeol, Choi distributed narcotics smuggled into South Korea, mainly using the 'dead drop' method by placing them in lockers at subway stations and delivering them via international mail.

While investigating Park Wangyeol, who was extradited from the Philippines on March 25, the police identified that Choi had supplied him with narcotics. On March 30, a dedicated tracking team was formed and an investigation was launched.

The police discovered that Choi was residing in Thailand and worked with police liaison officers stationed in Thailand to pinpoint his hideout.

Subsequently, in cooperation with Interpol (Red Notice) and local investigative agencies, Choi was apprehended on April 10 for illegal stay and was forcibly extradited to South Korea on May 1.

During a search of Choi's residence, police seized 13 mobile phones and a passport.

The police detained Choi two days after his extradition and consolidated five cases, including methamphetamine smuggling, for which arrest warrants had already been issued.

As a result, the police uncovered 41 additional offenses related to Choi's distribution, possession, and storage of narcotics, and decided to refer him to prosecution on these charges today.

Initially, Choi claimed during police questioning that he did not conspire with Park Wangyeol to commit the crimes. However, he later admitted his guilt, stating, "I never met Park Wangyeol in person, but communicated and committed the crimes via Telegram."

The police identified an electronic wallet used by Choi for transactions and traced 57 bitcoins (worth approximately 6.8 billion won) believed to be drug proceeds. They also applied for a pre-indictment seizure order on the 6 billion won identified as the total value of the narcotics distributed.

Based on the results of forensic analysis of the confiscated mobile phones, the police additionally identified a warehouse keeper responsible for storing and managing the narcotics and three dealers (two of whom have been detained). The investigation into accomplices involved in smuggling drugs from overseas and ships in Southeast Asia is also being further developed.

The police explained that Choi's arrest and extradition represents a case in which a key component of an overseas drug distribution network was dismantled, and is also the result of last month's cooperation with Thailand that led to the arrest of the leader of an international drug organization in Gangnam, Seoul, and his subsequent deportation to Thailand.

Meanwhile, Choi's personal information will be made public on May 12. Although the police previously decided to disclose his name, age, and mugshot at a Personal Information Disclosure Review Committee meeting on May 6, a statutory five-day grace period was granted because Choi did not submit the confirmation document for the disclosure decision.

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