Record High Narcotics Seizures in First Half of This Year... "Clear Trend of Large-Scale Smuggling"

The scale of drug smuggling detected in the first half of this year recorded the largest ever for a first half-year period. A notable trend in recent drug smuggling cases shows a decrease in the number of detections but an increase in the weight per case, indicating a clear shift toward larger-scale smuggling.

On the 25th, the Korea Customs Service announced the "2023 First Half Drug Smuggling Control Trends" at Incheon Airport Terminal 1, which included these details.

According to the Korea Customs Service, drug smuggling detected in the first half of this year amounted to 325 cases totaling 329 kg. Excluding two exceptional large-scale smuggling incidents in 2021 (Methamphetamine 402.8 kg and Cocaine 400.4 kg), this is the largest weight recorded in the first half of the year over the past five years.

Provided by Korea Customs Service

The number of detections and weights by year for the first half are as follows: ▲2019 - 250 cases, 152 kg ▲2020 - 84 cases, 416 kg (including exceptional cases) ▲2021 - 214 cases, 662 kg ▲2022 - 370 cases, 238 kg ▲2023 - 325 cases, 329 kg.

Comparing the first halves of this year and last year, the number of detections slightly decreased, but the total weight increased, reflecting the recent trend toward larger-scale drug smuggling. The increase in detected weight is attributed to more large-scale smuggling, with the average weight per case exceeding 1 kg this year.

The Korea Customs Service analyzes that domestic drug prices are relatively higher than in other countries, and with steadily increasing domestic demand, drug smuggling is gradually becoming larger in scale.

In fact, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that the price of 1 gram of methamphetamine in Korea is about $450, which is significantly higher compared to $44 in the United States and $13 in Thailand.

Provided by Korea Customs Service

The main smuggling routes for drugs attempted to be brought into Korea by weight are international mail (50%), express cargo (26%), travelers (20%), and general cargo (4%).

However, when considering the number of cases, the Korea Customs Service explains that there is a clear recent increase in drug smuggling by travelers, while detections via the previously dominant non-face-to-face smuggling routes such as international mail and express cargo are gradually decreasing.

This suggests that the drug smuggling methods, which had focused on international mail and express cargo (non-face-to-face) during the COVID-19 pandemic, are shifting back to traveler-based smuggling methods (face-to-face), returning to pre-pandemic patterns.

Provided by Korea Customs Service

The drugs detected in the first half of this year were led by methamphetamine (140 kg, 43%), followed by marijuana (83 kg, 25%), ketamine (24 kg, 7%), synthetic marijuana (21 kg, 37 cases), and MDMA (12 kg, 4%).

The main countries of origin were the United States (80 kg, 24%), Thailand (80 kg, 24%), Laos (39 kg, 12%), Vietnam (32 kg, 10%), and China (19 kg, 6%).

Kwanghyo Ko, Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, stated, "It is judged that attempts to smuggle about 2 cases and 2 kg of drugs per day continue recently," emphasizing the seriousness of the drug smuggling problem by adding, "As attempts to smuggle drugs increase, the daily lives of the public are also greatly threatened."

He also said, "To restore Korea's previous status as a 'drug-free country,' a whole-of-government response including the Korea Customs Service and public participation are essential," and added, "From the 25th to the 31st of this month, the Korea Customs Service will conduct a 'Drug Smuggling Prevention Campaign' targeting departing travelers at major airport customs nationwide to encourage public cooperation in eradicating drug smuggling."

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