Man Arrested for Proxy Cigarette Purchases for Minor on Twitter

Aug.15.2022
Man Arrested for Proxy Cigarette Purchases for Minor on Twitter
A man in his 40s was arrested for purchasing cigarettes from a primary school student on Jeju Island. #underage smoking.

A man in his 40s who bought cigarettes for a primary school student in Jeju was arrested by the police. This is known as the "Daegu method," where individuals lure minors by posting on Twitter using hashtags such as "#proxy purchase" and "#damchul." During the investigation, two high school students were also caught selling cigarettes to their peers using the same method.


Image source: Jeju Island Autonomous Police Department. On the 3rd of January, the Jeju Police Department announced that a 40-year-old man has been handed over to the prosecution on charges of violating the "Youth Protection Law". Two convenience store owners who sold cigarettes to high school students without checking their identification were also sent to prosecution on the same charges.


According to the authorities, Mr. A has been charged with purchasing cigarettes on behalf of elementary school students. The students advertised their services on Twitter using a "purchasing agent for cigarettes" account and informed others of their intention to buy through personal accounts. After determining the quantity and type of cigarettes, they met in sparsely populated areas such as parks or apartment buildings to conduct the sales in person. A was caught on the spot selling cigarettes for KRW 3,000 per pack to two individuals, including a fifth-grade elementary school student.


During an investigation into the "Daegu" case, Jeju police discovered two high school students, a male and a female, selling cigarettes to minors in the same manner. Student B, aged 17, purchased e-cigarettes 21 times since May, paying 4,500 won for e-cigarettes and 2,000 won for regular cigarettes.


The authorities do not intend to press charges against individuals B and C. A Jeju police officer stated that "in principle, even students can be punished." They received guidance from the prosecutor when they were young. "We are moving forward," he said. However, convenience store owners D (52 years old) and E (39 years old) have been charged with violating the Youth Protection Act for selling cigarettes to minors.


The Chief of Police in Jeju Province, Gao Changqing, stated that they will work closely with relevant organizations such as the national police and education department, with the Autonomous Police Committee at the center, to harshly punish those who sell or provide harmful substances. Drugs like alcohol and tobacco can be harmful to youth. They will make maximum effort to protect young people from exposure to harmful environments.


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