Largest Ever Seizure of Methamphetamine and Cocaine... Record High Number of Foreign Offenders

Major Narcotics like Marijuana and Heroin Increase by 520% Year-on-Year, Reaching 1179kg
Rising Drug Offenders Under 19... Concerns Over Investigation Gaps Due to Investigation Authority Adjustment

Drug seizure quantities over the past 5 years. / Provided by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Kyung-jun] The prosecution revealed that the amount of narcotics seized last year, including methamphetamine and marijuana, reached an all-time high. Of the total seized quantity of 1,295.7 kg, the amount of major narcotics such as methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, MDMA, yaba, and heroin increased by approximately 520% compared to the previous year, totaling 1,179 kg.

On the 6th, the Anti-Corruption and Violent Crime Division of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office published the "2021 Narcotics Crime White Paper," which records domestic and international narcotics crime trends. The Narcotics Crime White Paper has been published annually since 1990, following the establishment of the Narcotics Division at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in 1989, to be used as investigation, research, and policy-making material for those working in narcotics-related fields.

Last year, the number of narcotics offenders was 16,153, a 10.5% decrease compared to 2020 (18,050), but it has exceeded 16,000 for three consecutive years. The prosecution cited the widespread smuggling and sale of narcotics via the internet and SNS, as well as an increase in narcotics offenders among teenagers, people in their twenties, and foreigners as major causes.

The number of marijuana offenders was 3,777, a sharp increase of 163.2% over five years, influenced by the legalization of marijuana in some European countries, Canada, and some U.S. states, as well as increased exposure among overseas students. The number of smuggling offenders was 807, similar to last year's figure of 837.

The prosecution uncovered a record high of 2,399 foreign narcotics offenders last year. This is a 19.5% increase from the previous year (1,958). By nationality, Thailand accounted for the largest number with 888, followed by China and Vietnam with 504 and 310 respectively.

The number of narcotics offenders aged 19 and under continues to rise. Last year, there were 450 offenders aged 19 or younger, a 43.8% increase from the previous year (313) and a 278.2% surge compared to four years ago. The prosecution noted that with the widespread use of smartphones, youths are increasingly exposed to narcotics sales advertisements through SNS and portal site searches, leading to curiosity-driven purchases.

The problem is that while narcotics distribution is becoming more active, the adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police, implemented from January last year, may cause gaps in narcotics investigations.

According to the adjustment, the prosecution can only initiate direct investigations into narcotics smuggling and possession for smuggling purposes involving amounts exceeding 5 million KRW. Additionally, the prosecution cannot investigate accomplices who purchase narcotics from smugglers for domestic distribution or use without requesting police investigation.

When apprehending smugglers, it is necessary to quickly track the distribution network and arrest sellers and intermediaries in one sweep. However, if the investigation is requested to the police, time delays may occur, increasing the risk that suspects will destroy evidence or flee, according to the prosecution.

A prosecution official stated, "Once narcotics spread in society, it is very difficult to restore the previous state, so the state has a duty to strongly suppress narcotics distribution," adding, "It is necessary to amend laws so that the prosecution can initiate investigations not only into narcotics smugglers but also distributors."

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