'Gangnam Hakwon District Drug Drink Case' Methamphetamine Supplier Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison

The so-called ‘Gangnam Academy District Drug Beverage Incident’ has resulted in a heavy sentence of 26 years imprisonment for the methamphetamine supplier.

On the 23rd, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) announced that the first-instance court in Cambodia sentenced Chinese national Mr. A (39), the chief methamphetamine supplier in the Gangnam Academy District Drug Beverage Incident, to 26 years in prison. The Gangnam Academy District Drug Beverage Incident refers to a case in which a domestic criminal organization provided drug-laced beverages to students under the pretense of a ‘concentration enhancement drink’ tasting event in the academy district of Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in April 2023, and threatened them.

The Chinese national A (39), the main supplier of philopon in the 'Gangnam Academy District Drug Drink Incident.' Photo by National Intelligence Service

원본보기 아이콘

Mr. A was arrested by local police at his hideout in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on April 16 last year with support from the NIS. He was indicted on charges including smuggling 4 kg of methamphetamine and possession of 700 g.

Initially, the NIS and related authorities attempted to repatriate Mr. A to South Korea, but methamphetamine and manufacturing equipment were found at the arrest site. Accordingly, under Cambodian law, he has been detained in a local correctional facility and has been undergoing trial there.

Meanwhile, the main perpetrator Mr. Lee (28), who planned the Gangnam Academy District Drug Beverage Incident using methamphetamine supplied by Mr. A, was sentenced to 23 years in prison in the appellate trial at the Seoul High Court in December last year. The manufacturer Mr. Gil (28) had his 18-year prison sentence confirmed by the Supreme Court in September last year.

The NIS stated, “The close intelligence exchange with the Cambodian police was a key factor in the successful dismantling of this drug crime organization. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with overseas authorities to actively detect and block international criminal organizations.” They added, “Since the Asia Narcotics Intelligence Cooperation (INTAC), launched under the leadership of the NIS last year, played a significant role, we will actively respond to member countries and international criminal organizations.”

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.