Allegations of drug use against actor Lee Sun-gyun and singer G-Dragon (Kwon Ji-yong) have taken a new turn as both celebrities have tested 'negative' in simple reagent and hair tests.
However, the police investigation is facing criticism for being hasty and relying on statements without concrete physical evidence. In the case of Kwon, his fingernails and toenails reportedly showed no signs of drug use.
Yet, drug crimes often present challenges for law enforcement, relying heavily on statements due to the elusive nature of new drugs. The National Forensic Service (NFS) results may also yield negatives, complicating the investigative process.
New drugs involve modifications to existing narcotic compounds, intensifying hallucinogenic and addictive qualities while avoiding regulatory constraints. Despite potential medical applications, these compounds, collectively known as "new drugs" like methamphetamine and MDMA, pose challenges for law enforcement agencies.
In accordance with the Narcotics Control Act, the Incheon National Police Agency is investigating Lee and Kwon on charges related to hemp and crystal meth, respectively. However, as of now, no objective data or evidence has been secured to substantiate these charges.
In the absence of concrete evidence, the police initiated the investigation based on a brothel manager's statement. Both Lee and Kwon underwent simple reagent tests and hair analysis, all yielding negative results. Despite these findings, the police are grappling with the challenge of gathering conclusive evidence over a month after the arrests.
Acknowledging criticism, a police official stated, "When a person under investigation makes a statement about another person's crime, it is inevitable to check it out," emphasizing the ongoing efforts to gather relevant evidence.
Legal experts anticipate a potentially negative outcome for the investigation into the alleged drug use by celebrities, cautioning that definitive conclusions should be reserved until more information emerges.
In response to the criticism, some argue that the police are fulfilling their duty given the inherent difficulties in uncovering hidden drug crimes. Park Jin-sil, a lawyer at Truth law firm specializing in drug cases, said, "Because most drug crimes are hidden crimes, they usually start with someone's statement or tip-off."
Despite a "negative" result in the national drug test, skepticism persists. Lee Hae-kook, a psychiatry professor at the Catholic University of Korea Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, notes the scale of drug use in the country, while legal experts like Choi Joo-pil emphasize the difficulty in conclusively proving drug use, especially with new drug types.
This article was originally published on Nov. 22, 2023.