 |
A 30-year-old office worker, who did not major in chemistry at school, became interested in the subject after reading an online advertisement about a drug commonly known as GHB that produces an aphrodisiac effect when taken with alcohol. GHB is referred to as a date rape drug because it is used by sexual predators.
Earlier last month the man identified only by his family name Ahn, working at an environmental facilities firm in Yeongdeungpo, Seoul, found the recipe to produce the drug on an English website. He translated the text and succeeded in producing the drug in a month after six failed attempts.
The chemical ingredients are exclusively sold to corporate bodies. However, he was able to purchase them by forging his company’s business license. “Yoon’s bedroom looked like a lab, and was equipped with an Erlenmeyer flask, beaker and scale,” according to a police officer.
“During the process, Yoon risked his life. He abruptly fainted after taking a tea spoon of GHB he made. He was immediately taken to hospital to have his stomach pumped,” the police officer said.
He produced a total of 842 grams of GHB worth 1.4 billion won, equivalent to use by 28,000 people. “I wasn’t planning on selling or giving out the drug,” Yoon was quoted as saying.
In related news, a 42-year-old office worker has been arrested by the police for fraudulently advertising GHB, according to the police. The worker, identified by his family name Jeong, from a bankrupt company, posted ads on GHB reading, “If you put this in the drink, she is 100 percent yours“ on a corporate Internet site. He pocketed 15 million won from 28 people who sent money to buy the drug.
A high school student was included in the list of those who requested to buy the drug from him. The 15-year-old surnamed Park said he was seduced by the provocative posting and sent Jeong 300,000 won. The list included office workers, public service employees, publishers, and livestock raisers in their 20s and 30s.
Ahn has been arrested by the drug investigation team of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and Jeong, now in Thailand, has been put on the wanted list. The 28 people have been booked for violating the law which bans anyone from trading drugs.
“The case reflects how much young people have distorted views about sex,” a police investigator said.
