Korean Drug Kingpins Run Domestic Operations from Philippine Prison: 14 Masterminds Caught

The identities of 14 Korean drug kingpins who controlled more than half of domestic drug distribution via Telegram while incarcerated in an overseas detention facility have been uncovered.

Prosecutors have first arrested and indicted an operator who managed domestic distribution networks under their instructions, while accelerating efforts to forcibly repatriate the overseas masterminds continuing their "prison management."

The Government Joint Investigation Headquarters for Drug Crimes announced today (the 31st) that it has arrested and indicted an individual surnamed A, who operated the Telegram drug sales channel "Labubu," on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (Psychotropic Drugs).

A is accused of directly selling methamphetamine worth 3.4 million won while operating a drug sales channel with 230 regular members from December of last year to July of this year.

A is also suspected of distributing drugs worth 20 million won by portioning and hiding them in residential areas using couriers (known as "droppers") in the so-called "coordinate" method, and supplying drugs worth 26 million won to other dealers.

Investigations revealed that A received 7 million won from operational mastermind B in return.

This is merely A's individual crimes uncovered through investigations so far, and the scale of drugs distributed domestically by "Labubu" is known to be much larger.

During the investigation of A, the Joint Investigation Headquarters identified and is investigating the behind-the-scenes mastermind B.

B is known to have actually directed the channel and distributed massive amounts of drugs into the market.

It was confirmed that 14 drug kingpins, including B, have been smuggling and distributing large quantities of drugs into South Korea and making massive profits by commanding domestic members via anonymous social media, even while incarcerated in the Bicutan detention facility in the Philippines.

It was revealed that they met in person within the detention facility, colluded with each other to set uniform prices for drugs distributed domestically, and dominated the domestic drug market.

The volume distributed through the alliance of 14 Korean kingpins, including B, was found to far exceed half of the total domestic drug distribution volume.

The Joint Investigation Headquarters is pushing for their forced repatriation through cooperation with the Transnational Crime Special Response Task Force.

If repatriation takes place, follow-up investigations are highly likely to be handled by the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, scheduled to be launched on October 2.

However, as the staffing of the newly established agency is not yet complete, experts point out that systematic measures are needed to prevent any investigative vacuum during the repatriation of overseas kingpins and the tracking of remaining higher-ups.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.