Smuggler Caught Bringing Counterfeit Goods Worth 13 Billion Won

The Cunning of Smuggling Contraband Hidden Between Charcoal Boxes

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Yoseop] A smuggler who brought counterfeit bags, watches, cigarettes, and other items worth 13 billion KRW into the country has been arrested.

Busan Main Customs Office announced on the 5th that importer Mr. A was arrested on charges of smuggling 1,449 counterfeit luxury goods, including Louis Vuitton bags and Cartier watches (worth approximately 12 billion KRW), as well as 89,580 packs of domestically legally exported Korean cigarettes (worth about 400 million KRW). The counterfeit luxury bags and other items were seized.

Charcoal importer Mr. A declared to customs last July that he was importing Chinese charcoal as usual, but in reality, he used a method called ‘simjibakgi’ by stacking charcoal at the front and back of the container to disguise the cargo and hiding smuggled goods in the middle section.

During the customs inspection process, he showed meticulousness by hiding smuggled goods inside boxes similar in size to the legitimately imported charcoal boxes to avoid detection.

A smuggler concealing a box containing smuggled goods between charcoal packaging boxes, a method called 'simjibakgi' (Photo by Busan Main Customs).

Mr. A attempted to leave the country the day after customs began the search and seizure related to the counterfeit luxury goods smuggling, but was banned from leaving due to customs’ swift action and is reported to have completely denied the charges.

Busan Main Customs Office secured evidence based on scientific investigations such as account tracking and digital forensics on mobile phones to uncover the full extent of the smuggling and arrested the suspect on the 13th of last month.

Je Yeonggwang, head of Busan Main Customs Office, stated, “We plan to actively block illegal activities such as smuggling that disrupt market order through information exchange with related agencies.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.