By Lee Kyung-min
Police have booked 10 musicians without detention on suspicion of habitually smoking marijuana, which is illegal here.
Officers from Seocho Police Station in southern Seoul said Friday that the 10 people allegedly gathered at their homes and smoked the controlled substance between March and December last year. They included rapper Iron, songwriter Simo, as well as other hip-hop musicians, concert agency officials and trainee musicians.
The crackdown came after Simo was caught in March while stealing from a locker at a sauna after swiping a key from a sleeping man whose belongings were in the locker.
While questioning him for theft, police officers conducted a drug test on him as his eyes were unfocused. He tested positive for marijuana.
After further questioning, the songwriter told police that he had smoked marijuana with his nine friends, all of whom tested positive shortly after.
They said they bought the drug from foreigners at clubs in Itaewon, or online, adding that they did so to improve their concentration and confidence as well as hearing sensitivity.
Police are trying to locate the dealers.