Male-only sleep facility in Gangnam revealed as drug den

Interior of a male-only sleep facility in Seocho District, Seoul, where police uncovered drug activity / Courtesy of Eunpyeong Police Station

A group of drug users, distributors and business operators have been arrested for distributing and using methamphetamine at a male-only sleeping room facility in Seoul’s Gangnam District, police said Thursday.

According to Eunpyeong Police Station, eight individuals, including the facility’s owner, employees and guests, were arrested at the scene on June 14 for violating the Narcotics Control Act.

An additional seven suspects, including users, smugglers and distributors who were not present at the time, have also been detained. Of the 15 arrested, seven, including the smuggler, distributor and habitual users have been formally taken into custody.

The investigation began in April when police arrested a drug user and traced the supplier, uncovering a broader criminal network.

Authorities found that a suspect identified as A had smuggled methamphetamine into Korea from Hong Kong on 23 separate occasions by concealing it in underwear and supplying it to local distributors.

The drugs were sold via websites and mobile apps, and intelligence suggested that users gathered to take drugs and engage in sexual activity at a specific male-only sumyeonbang in Seocho District.

During the June 14 raid, police arrested six users and two others, including the business owner and another guest, at the scene. Officers also confiscated 70 grams of meth and six bottles of Rush, a synthetic inhalant categorized as a new psychoactive substance in Korea.

Police have applied for a preindictment seizure of 16 million won ($11,500) in criminal proceeds and are continuing to track other distributors and users linked to the case.

The sleeping facility in question was found to be an unlicensed, illegal establishment, not registered as a proper lodging business. Authorities have notified the local government and plan to request administrative penalties.

“We will step up surveillance and crackdowns on illegal sleep facilities and similar unlicensed venues linked to drug activity,” said an Eunpyeong police officer.

This article is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.