The man in his 30s, who sparked shock by staggering with his back hunched like a zombie in the so-called "Suwon drug video," is undergoing a substantive review for an arrest warrant on charges including the possession of philopon.
Chief Judge Choi Yu-shin of the Suwon District Court, dedicated to warrant proceedings, is holding the pre-trial detention hearing (warrant review) for a suspect identified as Mr. A, who faces charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act, today (September 9).
The results of the review are expected to be released late in the afternoon.
Mr. A is accused of possessing a small amount of philopon at his residence on an unspecified date and receiving and administering psychotropic drugs from an acquaintance.
Previously, Mr. A became the subject of suspicions regarding drug use after a video spread showing him staggering with his back hunched and both arms dangling near a bus stop in Gwonseon-gu, Suwon, on June 22.
The next day, June 23, Mr. A tested positive for philopon in a preliminary drug screening and was emergency arrested.
However, he was released after a urine test came back negative, and he has since been under police investigation without detention after a detailed hair analysis by the National Forensic Service returned positive again.
Police uncovered additional charges, including discovering a small amount of philopon during a search and seizure at his residence on July 6.
Following continued investigation, police filed for a pre-trial detention warrant on September 4.
In connection with this, it was revealed that the police released Mr. A without conducting an emergency search and seizure—which can be done without a warrant on the day of an emergency arrest.
As it became known that coercive investigation measures were belatedly initiated more than 10 days later, controversy arose over a "poor investigation."
Having failed to uncover the exact timing, location, and purchase route of Mr. A's philopon use, the police have currently applied only the charges ascertained so far, such as "possession of philopon."
Mr. A is denying some of the allegations, including the charge of philopon use.
Police plan to continue supplementary investigations as soon as the decision on Mr. A's detention is finalized.
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