Superintendent defends schizophrenic witness testimony in Customs Drug Case amid retraction claims

A senior police superintendent, Baek Haeryong, refuted criticism on the 26th regarding the credibility of statements made by a Malaysian drug courier involved in the "Customs Drug Case," who suffers from schizophrenia (schizophrenia).

Superintendent Baek stated, "The suspect's testimony has already been used by prosecutors as a key investigative clue and basis for proving guilt." He added, "Even though the suspect also has bipolar disorder, they cannot fabricate lies and are exceptionally precise in identifying specific individuals and objects without any impairment." He further claimed, "When the deputy leader of the organization denied the charges, the suspect's testimony was used to refute the denial and prove guilt," and criticized, "Forcing detained individuals to alter their statements is a chronic issue within the prosecution." However, he did not specify what the prosecution's "statement manipulation" entailed.

Regarding suspicions of "external pressure in the Customs Drug Investigation," this newspaper previously reported (25th edition, page A10) that one of the Malaysian couriers who testified, "Customs officers assisted in smuggling methamphetamine," had schizophrenia (schizophrenia). While serving as the head of the criminal investigation division at Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station in September 2023, Superintendent Baek arrested Malaysian couriers who had repeatedly entered and exited Korea to smuggle methamphetamine. On January 27 of that year, he secured testimony from them that an Incheon Customs official helped smuggle methamphetamine through Incheon Airport. Malaysian national A (48 years old), who was arrested by prosecutors on February 27 while attempting to smuggle drugs through Gimhae Airport, was one of the three individuals who provided such testimony to Baek's team.

However, it was revealed that Mr. A exhibited symptoms of schizophrenia during a site verification at Incheon Airport led by Superintendent Baek. Baek had previously insisted, "The couriers' testimonies are specific and reliable." Yet, after some couriers who had implicated Customs officers recently retracted their statements, claiming, "Customs officers never assisted in drug smuggling," and with the revelation that a key witness suffers from a mental illness, the joint police-prosecution investigation team is reportedly re-evaluating the credibility of these testimonies.

Superintendent Baek also stated, "The Korean National Police Agency sent a written notice prohibiting the use of KICS (the police internal network)," and added, "Without access to the internal network, I cannot review past case materials, hindering the initiation of investigations." The Eastern District Prosecutors' Office installed the police internal network in Baek's office on the 10th floor of their building, allowing him to exercise independent authority and perform police duties as a team leader. However, Baek has claimed since his first day of work on the 16th that his inability to use the internal network has caused difficulties in launching investigations.

Baek also expressed dissatisfaction with the prosecution's lack of support. He said, "Although they claim to have granted me investigative authority, this is a power inherently held by a police station division head." He added, "The prosecution refused to provide even simple cots, so I purchased five cots at 160,000 Korean won each out of my own funds and placed them in the office due to the lack of a rest area."

Baek Haeryong Condemns Prosecution's Chronic Statement Manipulation