Daegu police arrest 6, detain 3 for selling synthetic cannabis through Telegram channel

The Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency's narcotics investigation unit said Tuesday it had arrested six people and detained three on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act by operating a drug sales channel on Telegram and selling novel synthetic drugs.

Police also referred 16 buyers to prosecutors and issued an Interpol red notice for one person suspected of importing drugs from abroad and manufacturing and selling them domestically.

According to police, the suspects — identified only as A and others — allegedly manufactured narcotics by mixing 630 milliliters of synthetic cannabis concentrate imported from overseas with 2,520 milliliters of e-cigarette liquid at a fixed ratio, then sold the mixture through Telegram. The operation ran from around September 2024 through March 2025.

Suspect A ran the Telegram channel and collected payment in virtual assets from buyers through an unregistered virtual asset exchange before delivering the drugs.

Suspect B stored the synthetic cannabis concentrate, manufactured and portioned the synthetic cannabis e-cigarette product, and concealed it at designated locations.

Police seized all remaining synthetic cannabis concentrate and e-cigarette liquid held by the group and secured 7.75 million won (about $5,010) in criminal proceeds through a pre-indictment restraining order.

Jang Ung-gi, head of the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency's narcotics investigation unit, said police would continue working with relevant agencies to crack down on both traditional drugs such as methamphetamine and emerging synthetic narcotics. "We are committed to being the last line of defense in keeping Korea free of drugs," he said.