Jeju Coast Guard Establishes 'Narcotics Investigation Unit'... Strong Response to Maritime Drug Crimes

The Jeju Regional Coast Guard Agency (Chief Kim In-chang) announced on the 6th that it has established and is operating a Narcotics Investigation Unit since the 20th of last month to actively respond to maritime drug crimes.

Jeju Coast Guard has established a Narcotics Investigation Unit.
[Photo by Jeju Coast Guard]

With the recent trend of large-scale smuggling and illegal importation of narcotics, the Jeju Coast Guard Agency anticipates drug smuggling via the sea and the distribution and use of narcotics among marine and fisheries workers. Therefore, to establish a dedicated narcotics investigation system centered on the regional agency, the existing Metropolitan Investigation Unit's Narcotics Investigation Team has been expanded and newly established as the Narcotics Investigation Unit.

A Jeju Coast Guard official stated, “While methamphetamine and cocaine were the main drugs previously, recently there has been a rapid increase and detection of new drugs such as ketamine. We plan to conduct extensive investigations not only targeting drug offenders but also the intermediaries and higher-ups, focusing on eradicating the root of the problem through concentrated crackdowns.”

Meanwhile, since 2021, the Jeju Coast Guard Agency has strengthened its response to drug offenders, arresting and detaining a total of five fishermen who used and distributed methamphetamine over the past two years (2021-2022).

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeong-pil baekok@asiae.co.kr

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