SEOUL — Six individuals were detained in Seoul this week under suspicion of violating drug laws after consuming jellies that contained cannabis, which led to adverse effects including dizziness. The arrests involved incidents in two separate districts, highlighting a growing concern over the illegal importation and consumption of cannabis products.
According to Yonhap News Agency, on April 11, four people were arrested in the Gwangjin district. They were college classmates who consumed cannabis-infused jellies at a local restaurant. The man who provided the jellies purportedly claimed they would have beneficial effects. Two of the group members experienced severe dizziness and sought emergency medical help, which led to police involvement and their subsequent detention after testing positive for cannabis. In a related case on April 10, in the Seocho district, a man and his older sister were hospitalized and later arrested after consuming similar jellies at home. Both siblings tested positive for cannabis. Investigations revealed that they had purchased the jellies in Thailand, a country where such products are legal. The Korea Customs Service has issued warnings about the legality of such items, stressing that importing cannabis-based products without proper authorization is punishable under South Korean law.