Police bust American teacher with pot, ecstasy

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Police bust American teacher with pot, ecstasy

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An American English teacher in Gyeonggi was arrested yesterday by police for suspicion of distributing some 9 million won ($7,918) worth of marijuana and other recreational drugs to a ring of kindergarten teachers, hagwon (private institute) instructors and college professors.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s international crime investigation team said that a 31-year-old identified as “J” was arrested on charges of smuggling drugs, including marijuana and recreational drugs yesterday.

According to police, from December of last year until his arrest, J sold in total some 90 grams (3.17 ounces) of marijuana to acquaintances he had made working as an English lecturer at a language academy in Yongin, Gyeonggi. He sold the marijuana at 100,000 to 150,000 won per gram, mostly at clubs in the Gangnam and Hongdae areas.

Two distributors and eight other foreigners who purchased marijuana were booked without detention, said the police. Of those who bought the drugs was a 28-year-old American female college professor.

A 26-year-old female Korean-American graduate student surnamed Baek and a 48-year-old man surnamed Kim, who runs a band practice room near the Hongik University area, served as middlemen and allegedly helped J distribute the illegal drugs in Seoul and Gyeonggi.

The police said that a synthetic hallucinogenic pill, “2C,” a form of ecstasy, was also circulated within the group.

A police officer stated, “There is a high chance that it [2C] may spread in the Gangnam and Hongik University area clubs and other adult entertainment districts.”

By Sarah Kim[sarahkim@joongang.co.kr]
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