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[CRIME] · South Korea · 4 sources

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South Korean police arrest gang for manufacturing 42 billion won of methamphetamine from cold medicine

methamphetamine pseudoephedrine South Korean police drug manufacturing cold medicine

South Korean police have dismantled an organized crime ring that manufactured approximately 1.36 kg of methamphetamine, valued at 4.2 billion won, using ingredients extracted from cold medicines. The gang, led by a man in his 60s, operated out of an apartment in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, between April 2023 and June 2024.

To produce the drugs, the group extracted pseudoephedrine from over 10,000 boxes of cold medicine. They reportedly studied overseas research papers, scientific experiment videos, and previous criminal court rulings to refine their manufacturing process. The gang utilized a secluded apartment and a warehouse in Paju to store chemicals and equipment, employing CCTV and parking barriers to monitor access.

Thirteen individuals have been referred to prosecutors, with four already in custody. The investigation revealed that a herbal pharmacist knowingly sold over 10,000 boxes of medicine to the group to facilitate the crime. Other accomplices included pharmacy staff and chemical suppliers. Police have seized the methamphetamine, pseudoephedrine, and manufacturing tools, while recovering 130 million won in criminal proceeds. Authorities are now investigating whether any of the manufactured drugs reached the market.

Entities

Ministry of Food and Drug Safety · Pyeongtaek · Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency

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Sources

감기약으로 필로폰 4만명분 제조… 원료 63만정 댄 한약사도 검거 [www.gyominilbo.com]
해외논문 뒤져 만든 ‘감기약 필로폰’ 4만명분…한약사 포함 일당 검거 [www.hani.co.kr]
″여기 냄새 나네″…감기약으로 4만 명 투약분 필로폰 제조 [www.mbn.co.kr]
감기약 성분으로 42억원어치 필로폰 제조… 조직범행 13명 검거 [www.seoul.co.kr]