Baek Hae-ryong Publicly Rebuts Dismissal of Search Warrant by Prosecutors... Intensifying Dispute over 'Customs Drug Investigation'

[Financial News] Baek Hae-ryong, an inspector dispatched to the Joint Investigation Team probing allegations of external pressure on the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office's 'customs drug investigation,' has publicly challenged the prosecution's decision to dismiss his request for a search and seizure warrant.
On the 17th, Inspector Baek announced to the press, "The police investigation team applied for search, seizure, and verification warrants for six locations, including Incheon Airport Customs. However, after a week, on the 16th, the head of the Joint Investigation Team decided not to file the request," he stated.
According to the dismissal statement released by Inspector Baek, the Joint Investigation Team cited 'insufficient evidence' as the reason for rejecting the search warrant application. The team emphasized, "Aside from the investigator's vague suspicions, there is no objective evidence to support the claim that duties were intentionally neglected, nor was there any objective investigation conducted." They further asserted, "There is no recognized circumstance to suspect that the accused committed a crime, which is required to request a search warrant."
In response, Inspector Baek argued, "The warrant was requested primarily to collect basic data, based on circumstantial evidence included in the prosecution's case files and site verification reports recognized as admissible evidence." He insisted, "Despite analyzing various circumstantial evidence, the prosecution dismissed the request without due consideration."
He further criticized, "The only direct evidence in the Drug Gate Scandal is confessions and CCTV footage, yet the prosecution ignored the drug courier's confession and concealed the video evidence. They are merely making endless excuses."
He also called on the Joint Investigation Team and the Korea Customs Service (KCS) to disclose: △ video footage of 36 Malaysian drug syndicate members entering and exiting the country; △ electronic data related to the import declaration of wooden cutting boards used to conceal methamphetamine; △ UNI-PASS records of flights taken by Malaysian syndicate members and their screening history; and △ both electronic and paper versions of the 'Drug Courier Risk Behavior Report.'
yesji@fnnews.com Kim Ye-ji Reporter