Police to Launch Intensive Crackdown on Drug Crimes for Three Months Starting Tomorrow

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters announced on the 31st that it will operate a three-month intensive crackdown period on "drug distribution and usage offenders" in the second half of the year starting from the 1st of next month.

The main targets during this period are ▲organized drug smuggling and distribution activities by criminal organizations ▲distribution activities using the internet (dark web) and virtual assets ▲distribution and usage by foreign residents in Korea ▲drug usage in clubs and entertainment bars. The police explained that these targets were selected after analyzing recent drug distribution trends and major crackdown cases.

The police plan to focus on cracking down on smuggling and distribution activities, applying the crime of organizing a criminal group for organized acts, and comprehensively investigating additional offenses and related crimes. Since drug distribution among teenagers and people in their 20s mostly occurs through the internet, including the dark web, a continuous monitoring system will be established to collect intelligence. Drug advertisements will be deleted and blocked in cooperation with the Korea Communications Commission and others.

Additionally, the police will analyze the methods and organizational distribution related to short-term drug usage by foreign residents, which mainly occurs in areas densely populated by foreigners, and respond strongly. Furthermore, with the lifting of social distancing and the summer vacation season, crackdowns will be conducted on crowded places such as clubs and entertainment bars. Crackdowns on illegal prescriptions and misuse of medical drugs are also underway in cooperation with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The police plan to thoroughly seize drug-related profits and apply for seizure and confiscation preservation before prosecution.

The police have continuously responded to drug crimes through year-round crackdowns and periodic thematic operations. As a result, the number of arrests has increased to 5,988 in the first half of this year, up 17.2% from 5,108 during the same period last year. The police stated that despite these crackdowns, drug distribution-related cases continue and public concern is growing, so they plan to strongly tackle drug crimes through this intensive crackdown.

A police official said, "Drugs not only devastate an individual's body and mind but also induce other crimes due to their addictive and hallucinogenic properties," urging, "Since the harm to our society is great, please refrain from any contact even out of mere curiosity."

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