Released 'Suwon Zombie' Caught Two Months Later Through Hair Testing

[Anchor]

A video captured in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, two months ago took social media by storm. A man was seen staggering as if under the influence of drugs, earning him the nickname "Suwon Zombie." Arrested in an emergency operation at the time, the man was released after testing negative for drugs, but he was recently caught through a hair analysis.

Reporter An Huijae has the details.

[Reporter]

A man lets his arms hang limp, staggers, and then stands frozen while leaning heavily to one side.

This is the so-called "Suwon Zombie" video that spread via social media last June.

It closely resembled footage of severe drug addicts in the United States hooked on fentanyl, a highly addictive synthetic drug, sparking major controversy as it took place near an urban apartment complex and an elementary school.

[Nearby Resident (Last June): Students frequently pass through here, and the bus stop is right in front. Just having someone like that here is terrifying.]

Following a police pursuit, the man, identified as Mr. A, was emergency arrested, but released just a day later.

He was freed after a preliminary urine test by the National Forensic Service yielded a negative result for methamphetamine, despite a positive reaction on a quick-response drug test. However, Mr. A's case has resurfaced two months later.

This is because a detailed forensic analysis of Mr. A's hair, requested by police for supplementary investigation, came back positive for illegal drugs.

Unlike urine tests, which only have a detection window of about a week for drug use, hair analysis can trace usage back for up to a year.

Having cornered Mr. A, police recently executed a search and seizure warrant on his home and mobile phone, reportedly securing relevant physical evidence.

However, police stated that no evidence of fentanyl use has been found yet, and they are currently investigating psychotropic drugs that Mr. A was previously prescribed.

Mr. A has reportedly denied the allegations throughout previous questioning. Police plan to summon him again the day after tomorrow (the 20th) for further questioning before deciding whether to apply for an arrest warrant.

(Video Editing: Jung Yong-hwa, Design: Hwang Se-yeon, Footage Provided by Threads)

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