An active-duty police officer who colluded with the leader of a large Telegram drug distribution ring to leak investigation secrets—and used information on rival organizations provided in return to boost his own arrest record—has been sent to trial.

The Government Joint Investigation Headquarters for Drug Crimes announced today (September 18) that it has indicted police officer A without detention on charges of divulging official secrets, aiding and abetting the activities of a criminal organization, and accepting bribes.

Prosecutors previously requested an arrest warrant for officer A considering the gravity of the case, but the court dismissed it on the grounds that there was no risk of flight, according to findings.

Officer A is accused of leaking internal secrets necessary for preparing against investigations—such as the criminal records and arrest statuses of applicants applying to work as "droppers" (couriers)—to the head of the Telegram drug-selling channel known as "Maseokdo" from October 2024 to June of this year.

It was revealed that in exchange for providing the information, officer A received criminal intelligence regarding rival drug-selling organizations or droppers who betrayed Maseokdo, using this to build up his arrest record.

Prosecutors believe that based on the information provided by officer A, the Maseokdo organization was able to evade investigative nets, continue its crimes, and establish a large-scale drug distribution network.

In addition, officer A is accused of accepting bribes after coercing drug offenders he arrested by promising to write official documents recognizing their "merit" (cooperation with investigations) so they could receive reduced sentences in court.

He was investigated for forcing these individuals to cover 7 million won in funds required for undercover drug investigations on his behalf.

Maseokdo, which colluded with officer A, is a large criminal channel with approximately 3,300 members, and is estimated to have distributed 2.6 billion won worth of drugs at retail value into circulation.

The 20-something ringleader, who operated the organization and traded 5.8 billion won worth of drug proceeds in cryptocurrency, was already indicted and detained early last month.

An official from the Joint Investigation Headquarters stated, "This is a grave crime in which a police officer aided a drug ring in distributing massive amounts of drugs for the private pursuit of arrest records," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that procedures are strictly followed and transparent investigations are conducted within the changing criminal justice system."

(Photo: Provided by Yonhap News TV, Yonhap News)