Police Special Crackdown Underway... But SNS Overflows with Drug Deals and Reviews

Drug Slang Searches on Twitter and Instagram Reveal Rows of Drug Sale Posts
Using 'Throwing Method'... Transactions Occur at Places Like Unmanned Hotels
Over 50% of Drug Offenders Are in Their 20s and 30s... Encountered on SNS and Dark Web

Drug detection dogs participating in the Korea Customs Service's narcotics smuggling prevention campaign held at Incheon International Airport on August 11 are demonstrating their skills.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] "In the early morning of the 29th, a photo was posted on the social networking service (SNS) Twitter. It contained an unidentified white powder lump along with a paper that read 'XXXX (type of gemstone), XX in stock.' All of these are slang terms referring to a type of drug called Philopon. By contacting through Telegram, one can receive information about drug prices and delivery methods. The drug seller told our reporter, 'Where did you see this and contact me?' and added, 'We can only discuss this in secret chats.'

Despite drugs causing social controversy and the police focusing on drug investigations, drug transactions are actively taking place on SNS. People in their 20s and 30s, who mainly use SNS, are easily exposed to drugs.

Searching for drug-related slang on Twitter or Instagram revealed Telegram IDs or channels where drugs could be purchased. Drug-related slang includes 'XX' (meaning candy) for Ecstasy, 'aXX,' 'cold X,' 'cool X,' 'jakXX' for Philopon, and 'XX' for drug suppliers. They explained, 'I am also a user, so I don't deal with strange alcohol (drugs),' and 'If you want to trade for a long time, contact me anytime.' Posts certifying drug use were also found. One Twitter user wrote a review saying, 'I did XX (a type of drug).'

They mostly used the 'throwing method.' Throwing refers to a transaction method where the seller hides the drugs at a specific location, and the buyer goes to retrieve them. This avoids direct contact between buyer and seller, evading investigation. One drug seller hinted that drug transactions took place at a location by writing 'unmanned motel' in the post.

Over 50% of Drug Offenders Are in Their 20s and 30s... Police Launch Intensive Crackdown on Drugs

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Recently, drugs have become a social issue. In the past, it was known that celebrities mainly encountered drugs, but now an environment has been created where ordinary people can easily purchase drugs. Especially, people in their 20s and 30s are known to obtain drugs through SNS or the dark web. The dark web refers to websites existing on encrypted networks accessible only through special routes.

In fact, the number of drug offenders is increasing. According to the National Police Agency, the number of drug offenders arrested was 8,107 in 2018, and in July of this year alone, it reached 7,447. Among them, people in their 20s and 30s account for a large proportion. According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, 56.9% of drug offenders caught during crackdowns in June this year were in their 20s and 30s.

The police have stated their intention to focus more on drug investigations. On the 18th, Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, reported to the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee, saying, "We will eradicate addictive crimes such as drug and gambling crimes that deeply penetrate daily life and threaten communities." The police have been conducting special crackdowns on drug offenders since the 14th of last month.

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