Designated Driver Wearing Electronic Anklet Arrested and Forwarded for Meth Use Over Two Years

▲ Designated Driver Wearing Electronic Anklet Arrested and Forwarded for Meth Use Over Two Years

A man under probation wearing a location-tracking electronic device (electronic anklet) for a past sex offense has been handed over to prosecutors on charges of purchasing and administering methamphetamine.

The Drug Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced today (September 2) that it has transferred a man in his 40s, identified as A, to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in custody on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act.

A is suspected of purchasing and using methamphetamine from online drug dealers five times between February and August.

According to police, A purchased 0.5 to 1 gram of methamphetamine per transaction using virtual assets.

The dealers used a "drop-off" method, where A expressed his intent to purchase drugs via an overseas messenger, and the dealers hid the methamphetamine in residential areas and parks in Seoul before sharing the locations with A.

Police caught onto A's suspicions while investigating overseas messengers used for drug transactions. They seized a total of 1 gram of methamphetamine divided into plastic ziplock bags and about 200 syringes from A's residence and vehicle.

One gram of methamphetamine is an amount that can be simultaneously administered to about 33 people.

Police arrested A, requested an arrest warrant, and had the warrant issued by the court on August 24.

Investigations revealed that A committed these crimes while under probation and wearing an electronic anklet for a previous sex offense.

Police explained, "A stated that after purchasing methamphetamine out of curiosity in May 2024 while wearing an electronic anklet, he has continued to use it for over two years until recently."

In particular, police pointed out that A had been working as a designated driver since June, noting that designated driving is not a restricted occupation for violent criminals, posing risks of secondary offenses.

Police plan to share A's case with relevant government ministries to discuss improvements to related systems, such as restricting employment categories.

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