Yeosu Coast Guard Repeatedly Cracks Down on Opium Poppy Cultivation in Island Villages

A total of 30 cases and 347 poppy plants seized and destroyed due to illegal cultivation in island village gardens and other locations

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] The Yeosu Maritime Police Station in Jeollanam-do announced on the 30th that more than 30 residents were consecutively caught secretly cultivating opium poppies, classified as narcotics, in island villages.

According to Yeosu Maritime Police, narcotics-related crime detections over the past three years totaled 70 cases: 19 cases in 2019, 29 cases in 2020, and 22 cases in 2021. Despite continuous crackdowns, illegal cultivation of marijuana and opium poppies has not ceased, leading to the formation of a dedicated team focusing on vulnerable island areas to conduct annual crackdowns.

This crackdown began on April 4th, aligning with the blooming season, with four teams organized to conduct special operations targeting opium poppies and marijuana. Concentrated crackdowns were carried out in Nam-myeon (Geumodo, Yeondo, Hwataedo, Songdo) and Hwajeong-myeon (Gaedo, Wolhodo, Hwahwado) in Yeosu City, resulting in a total of 30 cases detected so far, with 347 opium poppy plants seized and destroyed.

Among them, in April, Mr. A was booked without detention on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act for secretly cultivating 48 opium poppy plants at his home in an island village in Hwajeong-myeon, Yeosu City.

Unauthorized cultivation of plants that are raw materials for narcotics such as opium poppies and marijuana can result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million KRW.

However, according to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office regulations, cultivation of fewer than 50 opium poppy plants is subject to seizure and destruction without criminal charges, accompanied by guidance.

The majority of island village residents caught this time are under investigation without detention on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act, as they reportedly grew fewer than 50 opium poppy plants in small quantities or had opium poppy seeds that naturally spread to their vegetable gardens, believing the plants to be medicinal and beneficial for folk remedies.

A Yeosu Maritime Police official urged, "Special crackdowns will continue until the end of July. Since opium poppies cannot be cultivated at home even in small quantities, please report to the Maritime Police Station if you witness or suspect opium poppy cultivation."

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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