Yeosu Coast Guard Seizes and Destroys Opium Poppies in Island Village Garden

41 Cases Detected This Year in Island Village Gardens and Other Areas

Jeonnam Yeosu Maritime Police Station (Chief Park Je-su) announced that they have apprehended about 40 residents who secretly cultivated opium poppies, classified as narcotics, in island villages.

According to Yeosu Maritime Police, since April 1, they have been conducting special crackdowns on opium poppies and hemp using the Criminal Mobile Unit (Criminal Division 2) timed with the flowering season. Focused operations in Nam-myeon and Hwajeong-myeon areas of Yeosu City have resulted in a total of 41 cases (890 plants) being uncovered.

The Coast Guard is confiscating poppies.
Photo by Yeosu Coast Guard

The Maritime Police have continuously detected a total of 94 cases of illegal cultivation over the past three years (22 cases in 2021, 31 cases in 2022, and 41 cases in 2023). However, since illegal cultivation of hemp and opium poppies persists, a dedicated team has been formed focusing on vulnerable island areas to conduct annual crackdowns.

In particular, starting this year, even a single opium poppy plant found to be intentionally cultivated will lead to prosecution. However, if the seeds of opium poppies have naturally dispersed by wind and grown wild without intentional cultivation, no prosecution is made; instead, the plants are confiscated and destroyed.

The majority of residents caught in island villages are believed to have opium poppy seeds that naturally dispersed into their gardens. Investigations are ongoing to determine violations of the Narcotics Control Act.

A Yeosu Maritime Police official stated, "Special crackdowns will continue until the end of July. Since the law prohibits cultivation of even one opium poppy plant, a change in awareness is necessary," and urged, "Please report to the Maritime Police Station if you witness or suspect cultivation of opium poppies."

Meanwhile, unauthorized cultivation of plants used as raw materials for narcotics such as opium poppies and hemp can result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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