Korea Customs Service Seizes 6.7 Tons of Narcotics Worldwide Through International Cooperation

Drugs seized during the "Joint Crackdown on Synthetic Drugs" are displayed as evidence. The joint crackdown was conducted through cooperation involving 79 customs authorities worldwide and 19 international organizations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, based on a proposal from Korea Customs Service. Provided by Korea Customs Service

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] A total of 6.7 tons of narcotics were seized during the internationally coordinated "Synthetic Drug Joint Crackdown."

According to the Korea Customs Service on the 14th, the joint crackdown was conducted over three weeks starting February 1st, involving customs authorities from 79 countries worldwide, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Interpol, and 19 other international organizations. They cooperated to crack down on cargoes with high risks of drug smuggling and exchanged information.

The participating countries and international organizations exchanged seizure information in real-time and conducted bilateral cooperative investigations between supply and demand countries based on recent analyses of drug smuggling trends.

As a result, 48 countries achieved significant seizures, including 1.7 tons of amphetamines, 221 kg of methamphetamine, and 61 kg of MDMA.

The types of drug smuggling detected in the joint crackdown were mostly via maritime cargo and international mail and express parcels. This is interpreted as an effect of travel restrictions between countries due to COVID-19.

For example, Thailand seized 8 kg of methamphetamine in four cases from international mail bound for Korea, Mexico seized 47 kg of methamphetamine in three cases from international mail bound for the United States and Australia, and Lebanon seized 1.7 tons of amphetamines hidden in machinery being transported by maritime cargo.

Domestically, based on overseas risk information obtained during the joint crackdown period, focused inspections on express parcels and international mail were conducted, resulting in the seizure of 27.7 kg of narcotics in February.

Meanwhile, the joint crackdown is significant as it was proposed by the Korea Customs Service to the World Customs Organization (WCO) last year and was implemented with support from many member countries.

Additionally, to enhance the focus of the crackdown and establish an organic cooperative system, the Korea Customs Service operated an operation control center together with the WCO Asia-Pacific Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO AP) located in Seoul, supporting the smooth progress of the crackdown.

Baek Hyung-min, head of the International Investigation Division at the Korea Customs Service, said, "Considering the current situation where drug smuggling crimes involving international drug organizations are rampant, cooperation with overseas enforcement agencies through joint crackdowns is becoming increasingly important," adding, "The Korea Customs Service will spare no effort to establish a flawless narcotics control network to achieve the government-wide goal of a 'Drug-Free Korea.'"

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