A Chinese national who took methamphetamine hidden at a temple in the greater Seoul area and joined drug distribution using the "throwing" method was sentenced to prison. The throwing method refers to a way of conducting a drug transaction in which the seller and buyer do not meet directly; instead, the drugs are hidden at a third, specific location for the buyer to retrieve.
According to legal sources on the 3rd, the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 4 single-judge bench (Judge Seon Min-jung) on May 24 sentenced a Chinese national in his 30s, identified as A, to one year and six months in prison for violating the Act on the Control of Narcotics, etc. (psychotropics). The court also ordered the forfeiture of 2.2 million won.
A learned through the Chinese messenger WeChat in February about a drug dealer who proposed, "If you conceal methamphetamine, take a photo, and send the location, I will pay 50 yuan (about 10,000 won) per instance," and after accepting, was indicted on charges of distributing on about 30 occasions.
A received from the dealer the address of the place where the drugs were hidden. It was a temple in the greater Seoul area. A collected about 20 grams of methamphetamine buried in the soil. A then hid the drugs in apartment and villa parking lots, flower beds, and on outdoor units, distributing them using the "throwing" method.
The court found that A possessed and managed methamphetamine in a total of 39 instances.
The court said, "The defendant played the so-called 'dropper' role and joined drug distribution, and the number of instances and the quantity of methamphetamine managed were substantial," adding, "Drug crimes have a large negative impact across society and require stern punishment."
However, the court explained its sentencing reasons by noting, "We considered as favorable circumstances that the defendant admitted the crimes and cooperated with the investigation, contributing to identifying drug buyers and finding the concealed methamphetamine."
As depicted in the popular Netflix drama "True Education," drug distribution is infiltrating daily life and even schools. In the first half of this year (January–June), the government carried out a special crackdown, apprehending 5,337 narcotics offenders and arresting 895. Authorities seized 759 kilograms of narcotics. It was the largest seizure under the special crackdown.