The police have requested a warrant for TV personality Robert Holley’s arrest with detention due to suspicions of drug use. It has also been reported that this is not the first time that Robert Holley has been suspected of drug use.
On April 9 at 10:30 p.m. KST, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency’s Cyber Crime Team requested a warrant for Robert Holley’s arrest with detention due to suspicions that he violated the Act on the Control of Narcotics, etc. He was initially arrested on April 8 and underwent questioning in order for the police to decide if they would seek formal charges and detention.
Robert Holley has admitted that he took Philopon (a form of methamphetamine) that he had purchased online, and his urine tested positive for the drug.
A source from the police stated that the request for arrest with detention was filed due to concerns about destruction of evidence and absconding. An interrogation of Robert Holley to determine the validity of the warrant before detention will take place on April 11.
In addition, it was reported on April 9 that this is not the first time Robert Holley has been suspected of drug use.
JoongAng Ilbo reported that he was also investigated by the police on suspicions of drug use in 2017 and 2018, after someone else (described as “A”) was arrested on the same suspicions and stated that they had taken drugs with Robert Holley.
The police reportedly called in Robert Holley for investigation after this. However, whenever the police did so, Robert Holley had removed the hair on his body by shaving his head and waxing. As they weren’t able to test his hair, the police tested his urine, but it did not show signs of drug use.
The Anyang Police Station tried to test fine hairs that remained on his chest, and the test did not show a positive reaction. A source from the police stated that when tests are done on hair such as chest hair or nose hair, drugs are not detected or it’s difficult to determine when drugs were taken if they are detected. This is because the hair in these areas grows at a slower rate than hair on the head.
It’s reported that Robert Holley’s house was also searched by the police, but they were unable to find evidence of drug use. The police therefore sent his case to the prosecution with a recommendation of non-indictment.
A source from the police explained that hair removal is one way people who commit narcotics-related crimes cover up the crime. In Robert Holley’s case, it was estimated that he had taken drugs when they saw his actions, however they did not have any clear evidence.
This most recent case was different, as the police were carrying out a large-scale crackdown after seeing an increase in the number of drug sales through social media and more. During this crackdown, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency’s Cyber Crime Team confirmed in mid-March through CCTV footage that Robert Holley had made a deposit of hundreds of thousands of won (100,000 won is approximately $87.60) in cash without a bankbook into a bank account that was suspected of being used by a drug dealer.
After Robert Holley was arrested on April 8, the police found and seized a syringe behind the toilet in the bathroom in his home. It’s reported that during police questioning, Robert Holley said that he saw an advertisement for drug sales online and contacted the seller through social media. He purchased the Philopon in mid-March and then used it early this month.
The police have sent samples of Robert Holley’s urine and hair to the National Forensic Service for examination.
Robert Holley first worked in South Korea as a missionary in his early 20s. He obtained a degree in law from West Virginia University and later returned to Korea to work as a lawyer in Busan. He then became well known as he appeared on variety shows, and he is a naturalized citizen of South Korea.
Source: Soompi