Korean students drugged in cram-school blackmail scheme

Drug drink labeled ″Mega ADHD″ above the name of a pharmaceutical company [SEOUL GANGNAM POLICE STATION]

Police arrested a woman who allegedly drugged high school students with free drinks laced with methamphetamines and ecstasy.

The woman was reportedly giving out drinks to high schoolers in the private cram school area in Daechi-dong, southern Seoul, telling them that the drinks enhance memory and concentration. The drinks tested positive for methamphetamines and ecstasy.

Seoul Gangnam Police Station arrested the 49-year-old at her residence in Imun-dong of Dongdaemun District, eastern Seoul, at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, after receiving a report Monday evening. Police are tracking three other suspects involved in the case.

The trio gave out the drinks, labeled “Mega ADHD," saying that the giveaway was part of a tasting event. They asked the students for contact information of their parents, supposedly for survey purposes. Then the suspects reportedly threatened the parents, saying that they will report their children’s drug use to the police.

The police are tracking down other suspects with four investigation teams and expanding their probe to locate the mastermind behind the alleged crime.

The police have received six related reports so far, but there may be more victims since several of these fake tasting events were held, according to witnesses.

BY KIM MIN-JEONG [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]