Suwon ‘drug zombie’ suspect faces detention again after meth found at home

Police in South Korea have renewed efforts to detain a man in his 30s after a video showing his unusual behavior near a bus stop in Suwon spread online as the so-called “Suwon drug zombie” footage.

The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency said it reapplied for an arrest warrant on Sept. 4 on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Act. The man, identified only as Mr. A, allegedly possessed methamphetamine and received and used psychotropic drugs from an acquaintance.

He was arrested on June 23 after Suwon Gwonseon Police searched the area near an apartment complex where he had been seen on June 21. A preliminary drug test at the time showed a positive result for methamphetamine. Police considered seeking detention, but a subsequent urine test came back negative, so they continued the investigation without holding him.

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The methamphetamine I had was already in my possession from the previous investigation, but the police did not find it when they searched my home.

Police later searched his home on July 6 and found a small amount of methamphetamine. A detailed hair test also came back positive. However, investigators have not established the time or location of any actual use, and prosecutors previously returned two warrant applications for that reason.

The suspect told investigators that the methamphetamine had been in his possession since an earlier investigation and that police had failed to find it during a previous search. He denies using it in connection with the current case. Police said they would continue working to determine whether he used the drug and to identify the time and place of any use.

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We are continuing the investigation to specify whether he used the methamphetamine in his possession, and when and where.