[Exclusive]Formerly known as Vasco, rapper Bilshtax indicted without detention on charges of marijuana possession and use [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

• Agency: "Deeply reflecting on repeating the same mistake... plans to earnestly comply with legal proceedings"

Bilshtax (46, real name Shin Dong-yeol), a rapper better known by his stage name Vasco and an alumnus of Mnet's "Show Me The Money 3," has been indicted on drug-related charges, sending shockwaves through the industry.

According to StarNews's verification, the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office indicted Bilshtax without detention on the 16th for violating the Narcotics Control Act.

The case was filed with the 12th Criminal Division of the Suwon District Court, and the date of the first trial has not yet been determined.

Bilshtax was caught by police last November on charges of purchasing marijuana and marijuana gummies from a drug dealer identified as Mr. B and smoking them.

In this regard, according to a KBS report, investigations revealed that Mr. B, a man in his 30s who sold narcotics to Bilshtax, had been cultivating marijuana multiple times at his home and manufacturing marijuana gummies from August 2024 through last June. The Government Joint Investigation Headquarters for Drug Crimes, which indicted Mr. B with detention in July, is known to have discovered that two individuals, including Bilshtax, purchased and used narcotics while tracking Mr. B's other crimes.

Bilshtax is a rapper previously better known by the stage name Vasco. He debuted in 2004 with his first full-length album, "The Genesis," and gained attention for appearing as Vasco on Season 3 of "Show Me The Money." Bilshtax changed his stage name from Vasco to his current one in 2016.

This is not the first time Bilshtax has faced drug-related charges. In 2018, he was indicted without detention on charges of smoking marijuana and using ecstasy and cocaine in 2015.

Bilshtax has drawn attention by repeatedly voicing his stance on the legalization of marijuana over the years.

When releasing his fifth full-length album, "DETOX," in April 2020, Bilshtax stated, "By my standards, marijuana is not a drug, yet it seemed as if society was labeling it definitively as a drug without any hesitation, much like the appearance of someone deteriorating due to drug addiction. I felt frustrated by a society that is addicted to false propaganda in the form of drugs and cannot escape." He added, "I absolutely do not think my actions are directed against the state. I believe my actions are about changing the perception of the people, not the state. I am fighting against that perception, not against the state."

Bilshtax said, "Ultimately, the process of changing the perception that it is a drug feels like a detoxification process to me. That is why I released it with the ironic title 'Detox.' I hope that medical marijuana, which is already legal, will have its regulations lifted sooner so that everyone can benefit from it." He continued, "Members of the National Assembly and politicians who still cannot get rid of the colored glasses that see it as a drug are blocking progress, but if we all want it, I believe we can detoxify the perception of the National Assembly itself. Furthermore, I also want to achieve legalization for recreational use."

Subsequently, Bilshtax's agency, Scceragang Business, stated on the 21st, "Bilshtax was recently indicted on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act." The agency added, "Bilshtax has earnestly cooperated with police and Prosecution Service investigations to date. He takes it seriously that he has repeated the same mistake and is deeply reflecting on it. He plans to earnestly comply with the upcoming trial and legal proceedings until the end."

The agency further stated, "However, recent reports contain content that does not match the facts. In particular, some reports listed matters unrelated to the artist as charges." It added, "Our agency deeply regrets failing to fulfill its responsibility to look after the artist from the sidelines. We will work together by his side to repay him with a better image in the future."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original