In the Past Month, 1,005 Drug Offenders Arrested, 246 Detained

Government and Related Agencies Joint Special Narcotics Crackdown Interim Results Announced
Focused Crackdown on New Drug Distribution via Dark Web and Virtual Currency Activities, and Transactions in Foreign Resident-Dense Areas

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The government conducted an intensive special crackdown over the past month, arresting 1,005 suspects involved in the supply and use of illegal narcotics and detaining 246 of them. Based on the results of this crackdown, the government plans to establish the "2021 Narcotics Safety Management Measures."

On the 19th, the government announced the interim results of the joint special narcotics crackdown by related agencies at the Government Seoul Office. This special crackdown was carried out by five agencies?the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, National Police Agency, Korea Customs Service, Korea Coast Guard, and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety?starting from the 15th of last month. They focused on cracking down on narcotics transactions conducted via the darknet (websites accessible only through specific programs despite using the internet), social network services (SNS), smuggling into the country via air and sea routes, and narcotics distribution in areas densely populated by foreigners, based on recent analyses of narcotics crime patterns.

As a result, 1,005 suspects involved in illegal narcotics supply and use were arrested, with 246 detained. Authorities seized 112 poppy plants, 25.6 kg of psychotropic substances including Philopon (methamphetamine), LSD, and Ecstasy, and 57.7 kg of marijuana, achieving significant results in cutting off supply and distribution. In particular, 329 suspects were arrested and 46 detained through focused crackdowns on illegal distribution activities using the darknet, internet, and virtual currencies.

Additionally, in cooperation with local investigative agencies in the Philippines and other countries, Korean narcotics offenders smuggling large quantities of Philopon were directly apprehended on-site, with repatriation to Korea and tracking of accomplices underway. Authorities also concentrated on cracking down on narcotics distribution in foreigner-dense areas, arresting 224 suspects and detaining 72.

Furthermore, regarding narcotics used for medical purposes, inspections were conducted on 50 medical institutions suspected of illegal use. As a result, 37 medical institutions and 31 patients were identified and will be referred to the relevant investigative agencies for further action.

Jang Sang-yoon, Director of the Social Coordination Office at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, stated, "This year, we have strengthened manpower and equipment to block illegal narcotics and continuously developed capabilities to detect new types of narcotics, striving to enhance the government's narcotics crackdown capabilities. Reflecting the results of this crackdown, we plan to establish the '2021 Narcotics Safety Management Measures,' including more thorough crackdowns and intensified blocking efforts."

Director Jang added, "Going forward, we will concentrate all our capabilities to eradicate narcotics crimes such as illegal narcotics distribution that threaten the safety and health of the public, aiming to create a society where all citizens are safe from narcotics."

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