A woman in her 60s received a final Supreme Court sentence of 10 years in prison for helping smuggle the drug "ketamine" worth a little over 700 million won. The ketamine she helped smuggle weighed about 11,043 grams (g), enough for 220,000 doses based on a single dose of 0.05 g.
The Supreme Court's Third Division (Presiding Justice No Kyung-pil) held the sentencing hearing on the appeal of a person surnamed Kim, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (psychotropic drugs), and on the 28th affirmed the appellate ruling that sentenced Kim to 10 years in prison and ordered 345.94 million won in forfeiture.
Kim was indicted on charges of helping smuggle about 11,043 g of ketamine worth a little over 700 million won in three instances from March to July last year.
At issue in the trial was whether Kim knew that the street value of the drugs smuggled exceeded 50 million won. Under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes, if the street value of the smuggled drugs is 50 million won or more, a judge may impose a heavier sentence. If it is 50 million won or more, the sentence can be at least 10 years in prison, and if it is at least 5 million won but less than 50 million won, the sentence must be at least seven years in prison.
Kim argued not knowing whether the street value of the smuggled drugs exceeded 50 million won. The trial court, however, focused on the fact that Kim's hair tested positive for ketamine. The court found, "As a person with experience using narcotics, Kim could have known the street value of ketamine." It sentenced Kim to 10 years in prison. Kim appealed, but the appellate court dismissed the appeal.
The Supreme Court also found the appellate court's judgment to be correct.