▲ Suspects slipping drugs into the victim's coffee while keeping watch near the entrance
A group of individuals who extorted money by drugging the coffee of their opponents during betting golf matches has been handed over to the prosecutors' office.
The Seoul Namdaemun Police Station announced that it forwarded three individuals on October 30 under charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act and fraud, accusing them of making a victim consume coffee laced with psychotropic substances and pocketing 75 million won in betting stakes.
The suspect in their 60s, who prepared the drugged beverage, induced its consumption, and received and laundered the ill-gotten funds, was referred into custody. Two accomplices—who recruited the victim, prepared the drugs in advance, and acted as lookouts while the drugs were being mixed—were referred without detention.
The suspects are accused of slipping pre-prepared drugs into the coffee of a victim identified as A while playing a round at a golf course in Gyeonggi Province on July 30, taking advantage of the moment when A went to the bathroom.
Despite A experiencing impaired cognitive and motor functions after consuming the drug, the suspects continued a 36-hole round, made A lose the bets, and received money through wire transfers.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had intentionally approached A beforehand and built trust by letting A win previous betting golf matches in order to extort money.
Police stated that they confirmed the presence of psychotropic substances through an analysis of A's urine and hair, and proved through medical consultations that the substance came from external factors.
By analyzing CCTV footage from the golf course, police also captured circumstances showing the suspects dividing roles to commit the crime, such as putting drugs in the coffee, watching the entrance as lookouts, and handing over the beverage.
Police urged citizens to report or consult with the nearest police station if they witness or suspect drug use.
(Photo provided by Namdaemun Police Station, Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.