Man in 40s Arrested for Giving Zolpidem to Woman Met via Chat App and Prostitution

A man in his 40s has been arrested by police for giving Zolpidem, an insomnia treatment, to a woman he met through a chat app and engaging in prostitution.

The Gwangju Bukbu Police Station announced today (August 4) that it has arrested a man in his 40s, referred to as A, on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act and the Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Traffic.

A is accused of handing Zolpidem to a woman in her 20s, referred to as B, whom he met via a chat app at an accommodation in Buk-gu on July 22, making her take it, and engaging in prostitution once.

Investigations showed that A, who had been prescribed Zolpidem at a hospital prior to the prostitution, committed the act while also providing money and valuables to B.

Police investigations began after B, who fell asleep after taking Zolpidem, reported the damage.

A is reportedly admitting to some of the charges applied against him by the police.

Under current law, while the act of taking Zolpidem by someone who has been prescribed it cannot be punished, providing it to others or taking it together is prohibited.

Police are investigating additional potential crimes committed by A, who has a criminal record for similar offenses, and are looking into the circumstances of Zolpidem use and prostitution involving B, who has been booked on the same charges.

(Photo provided by Gwangju Police, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.