This file photo shows the Suwon District Prosecutors Office in Suwon, south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
SUWON, June 20 (Korea Bizwire) — Members of a drug ring that targeted teenagers have been arrested and indicted, prosecutors said Monday.
The Suwon District Prosecutors Office charged a 21-year-old as the main distributor and two 19-year-olds as middle managers for distributing synthetic cannabinoids.
The prosecution also indicted three teenagers, aged 15 to 18, for recruiting individuals for distribution. These teenagers were not detained.
The accused individuals bought synthetic cannabinoids from a drug dealer in March and April. They deceived six high school students by presenting the drugs as electronic cigarettes and coerced them into smoking.
In cases where the victims refused, their smartphones were confiscated, and they were forcibly made to smoke the synthetic cannabinoids.
The ring had an organized drug distribution plan, which involved conducting all transactions through Telegram.
The prosecutors charged the individuals with providing drugs to minors for profit. The maximum penalty for this offense under the law includes the death penalty, life imprisonment, or imprisonment for more than 10 years.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
