Government Arrests 2,701 Drug Offenders in Two Months... 4x Increase in 'Dark Web' Abuse

2020 Joint Special Crackdown Results on Narcotics by Related Agencies

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] The government has arrested a total of 2,701 drug offenders in about two months during a special crackdown on narcotics initiated following the so-called 'Burning Sun scandal' that caused social upheaval last year. Among them, 542 were detained.

In particular, drug crimes last year became increasingly sophisticated, with distribution occurring through non-face-to-face methods despite restrictions on international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the arrested drug offenders, 1,087 were involved in illegal distribution using the dark web and virtual currencies, accounting for about 40% of the total.

On the 28th, the Office for Government Policy Coordination announced these results in a press release titled "2020 Joint Special Crackdown on Narcotics by Related Agencies." This special crackdown was carried out from October 15 to the end of last year, following meetings chaired by Koo Yoon-cheol, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, mobilizing the capabilities of five agencies including the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Korea Customs Service, Supreme Prosecutors' Office, National Police Agency, and Korea Coast Guard. Over 10,000 investigative personnel including narcotics investigators, 44 detection dogs, and scientific equipment were deployed.

The government seized 112 poppy plants, 1,836.57 grams of narcotics such as cocaine and heroin, 72.2 kilograms of psychotropic drugs including methamphetamine (Philopon), LSD, and ecstasy, and 81.8 kilograms of marijuana, cutting off supply and distribution. Especially, as a result of the intensive crackdown over about two months, seizures of psychotropic drugs (48.8%) and marijuana (64.1%) were nearly half of the total in 2019.

This special crackdown focused on ▲ offenders distributing via the internet such as the dark web ▲ offenders distributing through air travelers and international mail and express parcels ▲ foreign drug offenders. Notably, drug offenders under the age of 30, familiar with the online environment, increased significantly. The number of offenders using the dark web reached 340, more than four times the total in 2019 (82).

Additionally, 27 people were arrested and 24 detained through crackdowns on recipients using controlled delivery methods for international mail and express parcels. Controlled delivery is a crackdown method where smuggled goods are allowed to circulate under surveillance and are caught at the final distribution stage.

Director Koo of the Office for Government Policy Coordination stated, "We will continue to strengthen the cooperation system among agencies to block illegal narcotics distribution in daily life and promote meticulous narcotics safety management by conducting strong crackdowns together with related agencies."

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