{
  "id": 17918770,
  "title": "Drug ring busted for making meth with cold medicine",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/drug-ring-busted-for-making-meth-with-cold-medicine-17918770",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-03T06:07:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20261103/drug-ring-busted-for-making-meth-with-cold-medicine"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Police announced on Tuesday the dismantling of a criminal organization suspected of manufacturing large quantities of methamphetamine using cold medicine. The group allegedly obtained substantial amounts of cold medicine to extract pseudoephedrine, a chemical vital in illicit methamphetamine production. Between April 2025 and June of the current year, the group reportedly produced 1.36 kilograms of the drug, which is estimated to be worth 4.2 billion won, or approximately $3.1 million, capable of being consumed by 40,000 individuals. Thirteen suspects, including the group's five members, have been referred to the prosecution on drug-related charges. The group had initiated drug production in an abandoned apartment in April of the previous year, but their scheme was uncovered in December. Police launched a series of apprehensions against the suspects in June following an undercover investigation. It was discovered that a traditional Korean medicine pharmacist, along with five other individuals, assisted the group in manufacturing the drugs. The pharmacist was found to have sold the group 10,610 bottles of cold medicine.",
  "summary": "Police said Tuesday they have busted a criminal ring suspected of manufacturing billions of won worth of methamphetamine using cold medicine. The group allegedly bought large quantities of cold medicine to extract pseudoephedrine, a chemical used to illegally make methamphetamine, and produced 1.36 kilograms of the drug between April 2025 and June this year, according to the Seoul Metropolitan…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Drug ring busted for making meth with cold medicine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/drug-ring-busted-for-making-meth-with-cold-medicine",
        "published": "2026-11-03T05:46:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}