Mokpo Coast Guard, Complete Blockade of Maritime Drug Smuggling, Cultivation, Distribution, and Use

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Mokpo Maritime Police Station (Chief Im Jae-su) announced on the 6th that it will conduct a special crackdown on drug-related crimes from the 5th to July 31st, ahead of the poppy flowering season and hemp harvesting season.

Mokpo Maritime Police will focus on searching greenhouses, gardens, and vegetable patches mainly in island areas where wheat cultivation is a concern, and will carry out three-dimensional enforcement activities using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in places difficult for vehicles or people to access.

The crackdown targets include illegal cultivation of poppy and hemp used as raw materials for drug production, opium manufacturing offenders and users, and drug distribution via maritime routes.

According to the Act on the Control of Narcotics, if caught cultivating or using poppy and hemp without permission, offenders face imprisonment of up to 5 years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

In the past three years, Mokpo Maritime Police have uncovered a total of 40 drug-related crimes and seized 1,615 poppy plants.

A Mokpo Maritime Police official stated, “We will do our best to create a safe maritime environment free from drugs through strong enforcement against drug crimes,” and urged, “If you suspect drug crimes such as illegal poppy cultivation, please report to the nearby maritime police station.”

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