A person surnamed Choi, suspected of supplying narcotics to "drug king" Park Wang-yeol, was forcibly extradited from Thailand.
According to police and others on the 1st, Choi arrived at Incheon Airport at 9:08 a.m. on the 1st. Choi then entered Korea through the arrivals hall at about 9:45 p.m.
Choi is suspected of smuggling or distributing in Korea, via Telegram, methamphetamine totaling 22 kilograms since 2019 and other narcotics worth a total of 10 billion won, in violation of the Narcotics Control Act, among other charges. On Telegram, Choi used handles such as "Cheongdam" and "Cheongdam boss," and was known to have lived a lavish lifestyle, including owning real estate and a supercar in Cheongdam-dong.
Choi was arrested in Thailand after a joint operation by police from both countries. During the investigation into Park Wang-yeol, police obtained information on a drug supplier and confirmed that Choi was living in Thailand. Choi was successfully arrested in a joint stakeout operation with Thai police in Samut Prakan Province, Thailand.
Thai police, along with transferring Choi, also handed over the items seized at the time of the arrest to Korea. After this extradition, Korean police plan to continue investigating Choi on drug crime suspicions as well as violations of the Passport Act.
Police are investigating Choi's crimes while also tracking and recovering the criminal revenue.