Park Wang-yeol, 48, who was sentenced to 60 years in prison in the Philippines for the "sugarcane field murder case" in which three Koreans were shot and killed, and who distributed drugs to Korea while serving time in a local prison, was arrested on the 27th.
The Uijeongbu District Court on the 27th issued an arrest warrant for Park, who is suspected of violating the Narcotics Control Act, saying there is concern about destruction of evidence and flight. Park was repatriated on the 25th in the form of temporary surrender to face investigation in Korea on drug-related allegations.
When appearing at the Uijeongbu District Court that morning, Park entered the courtroom without answering reporters' questions such as "Did you use methamphetamine in a Philippine prison?", "Where did you receive the drug supply?", and "Did you directly order the smuggling of drugs?"
Police plan to investigate Park for additional crimes related to the alleged violation of the Narcotics Control Act.
Among accomplices previously arrested in connection with Park, there are 29 sellers, 10 suppliers, two smugglers, and one funds manager, totaling 42 people. Including 194 simple purchasers, the total number of arrests is 236. Of these, 42 are in custody.
The drug distribution volume includes 4.9 kg of methamphetamine, about 4,500 tablets of ecstasy, 2 kg of ketamine, 19 tabs of LSD, and 3.99 g of marijuana. The street value is about 3 billion won. Police are currently investigating, believing there are more crimes.
During the extradition process, a rapid urine test for drugs returned a positive result for methamphetamine for Park. A rapid methamphetamine test can typically detect use up to five days prior. Park is presumed to have used the drug in a Philippine prison.