Form a Dedicated Drug Investigation Team... Detectives Complain of 'Work Paralysis'

Investigation Delays in Multiple Cases by the Violent Crimes Unit
Leadership Emphasizes Special Drug Crackdown
But Investigation Methods Remain Unchanged, Showing 'Limitations'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee]"Just verifying 112 emergency calls is overwhelming. Investigations into incidents related to public livelihood, such as theft and assault, are actually being delayed."

On the 8th, a detective working at a frontline police station in Seoul said this. Recently, as the police launched a special crackdown on drug offenders, detectives are expressing concerns about the increased workload.

The police have formed dedicated drug teams at 10 police stations including Gangnam, Songpa, Gwanak, Yeongdeungpo, Gangseo, Yongsan, Namdaemun, and Nowon to conduct special crackdowns, but it has been confirmed that no additional personnel have been added. Among these, six police stations including Gangnam Police Station are focusing on crackdowns at clubs and entertainment bars. With dedicated drug teams formed within the detective divisions, a small number of officers are handling the same amount of work or even taking on some cases from the violent crime units.

One detective said, "Cases from the violent crime unit, such as unauthorized residential intrusion and unidentified assaults, have been transferred to us to the point where we cannot handle them," adding, "We work overtime every day to clear the backlog, but it is difficult to continue the investigations themselves." He also mentioned that cases involving unidentified suspects take longer than usual because the suspects must be identified.

Another detective said, "Even when on duty, making arrests of suspects caught in the act or applying for warrants naturally leads to overtime," and added, "The detective division’s work has been paralyzed due to the drug crackdown." Several detective division staff also expressed dissatisfaction, saying that detectives whose workload has increased due to the drug crackdown should be included as candidates for rewards.

Regarding this, a Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated, "Because the dedicated drug teams are conducting large-scale crackdowns, some of the ongoing work may be distributed to other teams," and added, "Inevitable work burdens may arise."

"We will conduct a special drug crackdown" Massive publicity leads to... fewer arrests

At frontline stations, there are also reports that arrests have become more difficult due to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s massive publicity of the 'special crackdown.' Being aware of the special crackdown, cases of drug use in public places such as entertainment bars have decreased, and some people under investigation have even disappeared.

False reports have also increased. Passersby intoxicated with alcohol or people running around are reported as 'suspected drug use.' One detective said, "Once a drug-related report comes in, the violent crime unit is mobilized to conduct a rapid drug test, but recently, false reports have been increasing."

Although it was declared a special investigation, the investigation methods have not changed. In the case of entertainment bars, unless the bar is mentioned in statements during drug investigations or a 112 emergency call is made, arbitrary searches are not possible. Ultimately, dealers and users must be caught through intelligence, but it is known to be difficult due to many illegal foreign residents.

Recently, drugs have been spreading to different groups such as students and housewives, showing different patterns than before. As of June this year, the number of drug-related arrests by occupation includes 2,217 unemployed, 194 students, 85 housewives, and 85 entertainment workers.

Meanwhile, the police have decided to extend the intensive crackdown period on drug offenders from the original October to December. Accordingly, frontline stations plan to conduct focused crackdowns through collaboration between the detective division and the community safety division.

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