British drama staff indicted in S. Korea over marijuana smuggling

SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- Seoul prosecutors said Thursday they have indicted a British drama production staff on charges of smuggling in marijuana while staying here to film an American TV series. The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office said the 25-year-old defendant, whose identity was withheld, is suspected of bringing in 9 grams of the illegal drug via international mail from a British friend last month. The 25-year-old, who arrived in South Korea in late June to shoot a drama featuring a local actress, was arrested at the hotel he was staying at in Yeouido, Seoul, last week while receiving the illegal substance. He is known to have denied the allegations, saying his friend sent the drugs without discussing the content with him. Still, prosecutors said they found a text message he sent to his friend asking for the drugs. A local court issued a warrant to formally arrest the defendant on Friday. If he receives a prison term, he will be kicked out of the country after serving his sentence. When a suspended jail term is delivered, the defendant is deported right away, a prosecutor said, asking not to be named. Under South Korean law, the use of marijuana is banned and comes with a maximum of five years in jail or a fine of up to 50 million won (US$43,300). scaaet@yna.co.kr (END)