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The prosecution carried out a search and seizure on the residence of Lee Sun-ho, CJ Group heir-apparent and the eldest son of group Chairman Lee Jae-hyun, Wednesday, as part of its investigation into drug-smuggling charges against him.
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| Lee Sun-ho |
"We carried out a search and seizure operation on his residence, but cannot provide any other immediate details," a prosecutor said.
The prosecution is set to decide whether to request an arrest warrant for Lee after analyzing the confiscated evidence.
On Sunday, the 29-year-old was caught attempting to smuggle liquid marijuana in cartridges and edible marijuana products into the country at Incheon International Airport from the United States. He hid dozens of e-cigarette cartridges filled with highly enriched liquid marijuana in his luggage, while carrying scores of marijuana-infused candies and jellies in his backpack at the time, according to the customs office and the prosecution.
He allegedly purchased the drugs in Los Angeles, where marijuana is legal.
According to the prosecution, Lee admitted to his drug charges and his urine sample tested positive for the banned substance as well.
The search came as the prosecution is under fire for treating Lee differently from suspects in similar past cases.
When it comes to drug cases, the investigative authorities usually detain smugglers on the spot or seek arrest warrants, but he was sent home from the airport. He was questioned again on Tuesday, but again sent home.
Prosecutors said they did not apprehend Lee after taking various matters into consideration such as his lack of a criminal record, quick admission of the crime and low likelihood of him destroying evidence or fleeing.
