Police Arrest 242 Suspected Drug Criminals

The National Police Administration (NPA) arrested 242 suspected narcotic criminals in their special drugs investigation over 20 days from October 11. The police announced on November 2 that it had detained 212 suspects, and had confiscated 149 grams or 400-million-won worth of Philopon, one of the most common drugs in Korea, and 6.9 kilograms of marijuana during the anti-drugs drive.
Among the suspects arrested, 34 students, 26 office workers and 20 housewives were included.
A source at the NPA said, 'The number of narcotic criminals caught by police as of the end of October this year totaled 1,015, a 273-percent increase over the same period of last year. The increase in substance abuse is due to economic depression and the appearance of cheap drugs.'
The police warned that 10,000 tablets of the new drug methylendioxy-mesamphetamine, nicknamed 'Doridori' or 'Ecstacy', are circulating in the Kangnam area, southern Seoul, where bars and karaoke establishments are flourishing.
A source at the NPA said, 'This new drug is rapidly spreading in Southeast Asia, as it is both cheap and strong. However, we cannot determine signs of drug abuse through urine tests.'
Kang Joo-an : jooan@joongang.co.kr