Cousins Arrested for Learning Cannabis Cultivation Online and Distributing Processed Products

"We cultivated cannabis to become rich," suspects admit

Sold cannabis gummies and other products via Telegram for 500,000 to 1 million won each

Two men who obtained cannabis seeds from overseas, cultivated and processed the plants, and then sold the products, have been arrested by the police.

Marijuana cultivated by Mr. A and others that was seized. Photo by Yongin Dongbu Police Station, Gyeonggi Province

On August 13, the Yongin Dongbu Police Station in Gyeonggi Province announced that they had arrested and charged Mr. A, in his 30s, and one other individual under suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Act and other offenses, and referred them to the prosecutors' office.

The two men, who are cousins, rented two villas in Yongin City to cultivate cannabis. They are accused of processing the plants into marijuana, cannabis gummies, and liquid cannabis, and distributing these products via Telegram.

According to the police, they purchased cannabis seeds from foreign websites using international postal services, processed them into narcotics, and then sold them through Telegram, accepting payment in cash or cryptocurrency amounting to between 500,000 and 1 million won. They also reportedly consumed the cannabis themselves by heating it in a coffee can and inhaling the fumes directly.

The suspects took meticulous measures to avoid police detection, such as listing other people's addresses as delivery destinations and furtively collecting packages once notified of delivery. They learned how to cultivate cannabis through online searches, and it was found that cultivation tools such as LED lights and hygrometers used in the crimes were purchased from the general market.

At the scene, authorities seized 35 live cannabis plants, 2.3 kilograms of processed marijuana, 2.15 million won in cash, and virtual assets valued at approximately 17 million won. The 2.3 kilograms of marijuana confiscated by the police has a street value of around 230 million won and is reportedly enough for 4,600 people to use simultaneously.

Processed Marijuana. Yongin Eastern Police Station, Gyeonggi Province

Following a tip from local residents, police conducted neighborhood inquiries and analyzed CCTV footage. On August 6, both suspects were apprehended. Drug tests performed on Mr. A and the other suspect returned positive results for cannabis.

During police questioning, the suspects reportedly admitted to the crimes, stating, "We committed the offenses because we wanted to make a lot of money and become wealthy."

The police estimate that the criminal activities began last month, but considering the time required for cannabis cultivation, they are investigating the possibility of earlier offenses.

Meanwhile, the Government Joint Investigation Headquarters for Narcotics Crimes had conducted a concentrated crackdown on cannabis cultivators from March 4 to July 22, spanning roughly four months.

As a result of these investigations, 12 individuals, including members of a hip-hop group and a foreign English instructor, were apprehended for cultivating cannabis in residential and industrial facilities equipped with specialized equipment. Six of these individuals were detained.

Anyone caught illegally cultivating cannabis without permission faces up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won under the Narcotics Control Act.

Regardless of purpose—whether ornamental, edible, or medical—cultivation without proper authorization is equally subject to punishment. In cases where cultivation is aimed at export, sale, or manufacturing, offenders face a minimum of one year in prison without the option of a fine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.