▲ Philopon (Methamphetamine)
A minor who used methamphetamine received for free through a Telegram drug channel event and the 20-year-old operator who provided it have been indicted while under arrest.
The Incheon District Prosecutors Office's Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (Chief Prosecutor Seong Du-gyeong) announced today (June 29) that it has indicted the minor, identified as A (17), and B (20) on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act.
A is accused of using methamphetamine a total of five times between October of last year and March of this year, after receiving or purchasing a total of 2.5g of the drug.
B is accused of providing A with a total of 1g of methamphetamine, in 0.5g increments, at motels in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Seoul in November and December of last year.
The prosecution initially granted A a suspension of indictment on March 18, conditional on guidance and entrustment at a probation office, considering her age and lack of prior criminal record for simple drug use.
However, after A tested positive for methamphetamine in a urine test conducted by the Incheon Probation Office the day after the decision, the prosecution revoked the suspension of indictment and reopened the case.
The investigation revealed that A had used methamphetamine even on the day after she confessed to drug use during an interview with the prosecution.
Subsequently, the prosecution persuaded A's family to voluntarily submit her mobile phone for digital forensic analysis. Based on the findings, they tracked down B and apprehended him near his residence in Changwon.
It was determined that B had been providing methamphetamine for free to an unspecified number of people under the guise of an event on the Telegram drug channel he operated.
It was confirmed that A also first encountered drugs out of curiosity through this event.
A prosecution official stated, "While the principle is to actively utilize the conditional suspension of indictment system for juvenile drug offenders, we will strictly punish cases where the matter is serious, such as habitual drug use," adding, "We will also respond sternly to drug distribution networks targeting teenagers."
(Photo: Yonhap News TV capture, Yonhap News)
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