Choi, a 51-year-old known as "Cheongdam Boss" who served as a drug supplier to the notorious "drug kingpin" Park Wang-yeol and smuggled narcotics worth tens of billions of won into Korea, has been referred to prosecutors in custody.
The Drug and International Crime Investigation Unit of the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency announced Tuesday that Choi had been indicted in custody on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (psychotropic substances).
Choi is accused of smuggling or distributing drugs worth approximately 38 billion won into Korea between September 2019 and September 2021, including 46 kilograms of methamphetamine, 48 kilograms of ketamine, and 76,000 ecstasy tablets.
Police investigations found that Choi, who operated under names such as "Cheongdam" and "Cheongdam Boss" on Telegram, led a lavish lifestyle, owning high-value real estate in Seoul's Gangnam district and driving supercars.
Police had earlier detected signs that Choi was staying in Thailand and formed a tracking team on March 30, launching a joint investigation in cooperation with police stationed in Thailand. Through an Interpol red notice and cooperation with local investigative agencies, police successfully arrested Choi on April 10 in Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. During the arrest, 13 mobile phones in his possession were also secured as evidence.
Choi was forcibly repatriated on the 1st of this month. He was subsequently placed under court custody on the 3rd over concerns he might flee.
Choi admitted to the drug-related charges among his alleged offenses. However, he had denied any connection with Park Wang-yeol, who was known as a drug distributor in the Philippines, claiming they "did not know each other."
But after forensic analysis of the 13 mobile phones seized during his repatriation, police successfully proved the charges that Choi had supplied drugs to Park Wang-yeol. The investigation found that Choi supplied Park with 2 kilograms of ketamine and 3,000 ecstasy tablets.
Choi also faces charges of violating the Passport Act for fraudulently obtaining a passport by compositing another person's photo. He was found to have passed through face-to-face inspection at Incheon International Airport while wearing a mask in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, before departing for Cambodia.
Police identified Choi's electronic wallet and traced 57 bitcoins, worth approximately 6.8 billion won, which appeared to be proceeds from drug transactions. They have applied for pre-indictment preservation of 6 billion won of that amount.
Meanwhile, police reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening investigations to eradicate drug crimes. At a regular briefing held at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Tuesday morning, Park Seong-ju, chief of the National Office of Investigation, said, "As a result of strengthened crackdowns aimed at blocking drug transaction funds since last year, the number of arrests in the first quarter of this year increased 26% compared to the same period a year earlier," adding that "arrests of online drug offenders also rose 48% during the same period."
"With the passage of the amendment to the Act on the Management of Narcotic Drugs last month, the undercover investigation system that police have continuously pursued will be put into full operation," Park said. "Police will first introduce the relevant legislation for the drug crime undercover investigation task force (TF) and then push forward with follow-up measures, responding firmly and decisively so that drug crimes cannot take root in our society."
