Marine Drug Crimes Increased 11-Fold in 4 Years... Coast Guard Expands Drug Task Force Infrastructure and Strengthens International Cooperation

Drug-related crimes through maritime routes have surged 11-fold in four years. The Korea Coast Guard plans to strengthen its infrastructure, including dedicated drug investigation personnel, to respond vigorously.

According to the Korea Coast Guard on the 14th, the number of drug crime arrests increased significantly each year, from 90 cases in 2018 to 173 in 2019, 412 in 2020, 518 in 2021, and 962 last year.

Amid continuous detection of large-scale drug smuggling using vessels, the Coast Guard seized 100.764 kg of cocaine worth approximately 300 billion KRW from a Hong Kong-registered coal cargo ship attempting to enter Taean Port, Chungnam, in August 2019. This amount is enough for simultaneous use by 3.3 million people.

In addition, in January 2021, 35 kg of cocaine, enough for 1 million people to use simultaneously, was seized from a Liberia-registered container ship that entered Busan New Port.

Drug sales and distribution targeting foreign maritime workers, who have low awareness of the dangers of drugs, have also been continuously uncovered.

On the 2nd of last month, the Coast Guard arrested 15 members of a foreign drug distribution organization who sold ecstasy, ketamine, and other drugs to foreign crew members along the southern coast. In December last year, five members of a foreign drug distribution organization were also apprehended in the Jeonnam area.

Number of Maritime Drug Crime Arrests [Provided by the Korea Coast Guard]

To eradicate drug crimes, the Coast Guard established 'dedicated drug investigation teams' in each regional office in April and is mobilizing all investigators nationwide for an all-out response.

Furthermore, they plan to strengthen domestic and international cooperation systems for drug intelligence gathering and joint investigations, and operate a 'Maritime Drug Investigation Advisory Group' to enhance the expertise of drug investigators.

Jang In-sik, Director of the Investigation Bureau at the Korea Coast Guard, stated, "Drug smuggling via vessels occurs on a large scale, and even a single smuggling incident can cause critical health problems for the public. In South Korea, efforts have focused on controlling smuggling through port customs, leaving the smuggling at the 2,300 fishing ports and small harbors as a blind spot."

He added, "Drug smuggling control absolutely requires intelligence gathering through international cooperation, and there is an urgent need for dedicated maritime drug investigation infrastructure to carry out enforcement operations. We will closely consult with related agencies to increase the budget necessary for establishing dedicated drug investigation departments at the 'division' level, expanding personnel, and building intelligence networks."

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