A 68-year-old man has been booked without physical detention after police discovered opium poppies growing in his apartment’s terrace garden, authorities said Sunday.

According to Guro Police Station, the alleged grower, surnamed Lee, is being accused of harvesting 349 opium poppy seeds in the 33-square meters garden, located on the first floor of an apartment in Guro-gu, southwestern Seoul. 



Lee reportedly planted tall plants along the garden’s exterior in order to grow the flowers without getting noticed. Neighbors called the police to report the “suspicious (gardening) behavior.” 



Lee claimed to have grown the opium poppies because their flowers “looked beautiful.” He, however, denied injecting the opiates, according to reports.

Police said they have requested the National Forensic Service to run a hair drug test.

By Catherine Chung (cec82@heraldcorp.com)