Drug ring busted for making meth with cold medicine

Police announced on Tuesday the dismantling of a criminal organization responsible for producing methamphetamine, valued at 4.2 million U.S. dollars, through the use of cold medicine. The group allegedly procured substantial amounts of cold medicine to extract pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine, resulting in the creation of 1.36 kilograms of the drug between April 2025 and June of this year, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.

This quantity is equivalent to what could be consumed by 40,000 individuals simultaneously. Authorities have charged 13 suspects, including the group's five members, with drug-related offenses. The group initiated their drug production in an abandoned apartment in April 2024, a scheme which came to light in December. Police commenced apprehending suspects in June following an undercover investigation.

It was revealed that a traditional Korean medicine pharmacist, along with five other individuals, assisted the group in the drug manufacturing process. The pharmacist was found to have sold the group 10,610 bottles of cold medicine, contributing to the production of the illicit drug.