Korean-American nabbed for alleged drug use in CDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Police apprehended a 66-year-old Korean-American national for alleged possession of illegal substance inside a hotel room in Barangay Lumbia, this city, on August 16.

The police identified the suspect as Dong Young Kim, divorced, and staying at the Koresco Hotel in uptown Cagayan de Oro.

According to Capt. Tessie Lleva, head of the Cogon police station, Dong is a retired United States Army serviceman and has been using his monthly pension for his daily needs here.

Although he was born in South Korea, Dong is an American citizen, based on his passport.

Lleva said Dong has been known to sell shabu to his compatriots living in the city.

The suspect was divorced in his home country, but he reportedly kept a handful of Filipino girlfriends here.

“His clients are fellow Koreans who, aside from using illegal drugs, are also avid e-bingo players,” she said.

Dong, she said, was considered by the Cogon police as a high-value target.

In fact, she added, the foreigner was arrested for possessing and selling illegal drugs in 2016, but the charges against him were dismissed.

Lleva said they have yet to know the circumstances on how Dong went scot-free regarding his first arrest.

She said they have been conducting month-long surveillance on Dong, who they found out got his drug supply from a contact in General Santos City.

When the police were about to arrest Dong and his drug supplier Thursday night, the contact never arrived and told the suspect by phone that he cannot yet deliver the illegal substance.

Instead of calling off the operation, Lleva said an operative invited Dong to do drugs inside his hotel room.

Personnel from the Cogon police arrested Dong as they were about to start the shabu session. Confiscated from him were two small sachets of suspected shabu.

Lleva said the suspect could face charges of illegal possession of drugs.

Dong refused to answer queries from reporters. (PNA)


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