"Opium Poppy and Marijuana Illegal Cultivation is a Crime!" ... Gyeongnam Police Agency Intensifies Crackdown on Drug Cultivation and Sales

April 1 to July 31, Urban, Island, and Mountainous Areas

Photo of opium poppies subject to crackdown.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency will conduct a focused crackdown on illegal cultivation of poppies and hemp from April 1 to July 31.

The police agency will implement the crackdown to prevent illegal cultivation activities from occurring in rural areas such as vinyl greenhouses or vegetable gardens, as well as concealed indoor and outdoor spaces and building rooftops in urban areas.

The crackdown will be timed to coincide with the poppy flowering season and hemp harvest period, aiming to block the supply of narcotics and suppress demand.

They will focus on illegal cultivation of poppies and hemp, manufacturing, selling, and using opium and marijuana, as well as illegal removal of hemp from permitted areas.

Intelligence gathering activities regarding large-scale cultivators of poppies and hemp will be strengthened, and concealed spaces and rooftops within urban areas will be inspected.

In cooperation with related organizations, searches will also be conducted in ornamental poppy parks and mountainous and island areas.

Using internet websites and electronic billboards, publicity campaigns will be carried out to eradicate illegal activities among local residents, and in island and mountainous regions, promotional leaflets will be posted at village halls and senior centers, along with village broadcasts to carry out preventive activities.

In cases where large-scale narcotics cultivators are found and the crime is severe, suspects will be arrested and investigated in principle. From this year, the crackdown standards for illegal poppy cultivation have changed so that criminal charges will be filed if intentionality is recognized, regardless of the number of plants.

According to the police agency, previously, illegal cultivation of fewer than 50 poppy plants was not prosecuted, but from this year, criminal charges will be filed regardless of quantity if intentionality is present.

A police official stated, “It is important for the community to share the awareness that illegal cultivation of poppies and hemp is a crime,” and added, “Informants and those providing information will have their identities thoroughly protected and confidentiality guaranteed, so please do not hesitate and actively report.”

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