The entrance of an officetel in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday afternoon. A man in his 50s, identified only as A, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday on suspicion of killing a woman in her 50s who lived at the unit. [Lee Woo-jung/The Herald Business]
The entrance of an officetel in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday afternoon. A man in his 50s, identified only as A, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday on suspicion of killing a woman in her 50s who lived at the unit. [Lee Woo-jung/The Herald Business]

The National Forensic Service has notified police that it detected cannabis and methamphetamine — both in narcotics seized at the scene of a murder at an officetel in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, and in samples taken from the suspect's body. Police will transfer the suspect to the Northern Seoul District Prosecutors Office on Friday morning based on those findings.

According to the Gangbuk Police Station, the suspect, identified only as A, is set to be transferred to the Northern Seoul District Prosecutors Office on Friday morning. Charges include aggravated robbery-murder and violations of the Narcotics Control Act.

Police secured suspected narcotics during searches of the victim's officetel — the crime scene — on July 28 and of the suspect's residence on July 30. A rapid drug test on the suspect also returned a positive result for narcotics, and police requested an expedited analysis from the National Forensic Service, which confirmed that cannabis and methamphetamine were present. "We made an urgent request to the National Forensic Service, and it has confirmed the presence of cannabis and methamphetamine," a Gangbuk Police Station official said.

However, the final detailed forensic report — which will include specific compounds and concentrations — has not yet been completed. Police said they will forward it to prosecutors as soon as it is received.

During the search of A's home, investigators also found evidence suggesting the crime was committed with the intent to steal valuables, prompting police to upgrade the charge from murder to aggravated robbery-murder.

"Once the case is handed over to prosecutors, supplementary investigation may be conducted as needed," a Gangbuk Police Station official added. Prosecutors will decide whether to indict the suspect after conducting any additional investigation within the legally prescribed detention period.


jookapooka@heraldcorp.com