Coast Guard Agency Catches 311 People for Illegal Cultivation of Poppy and Marijuana... 42% Increase Compared to Last Year
The Korea Coast Guard announced on the 7th that it had intensively cracked down on the illegal cultivation of poppies and hemp over a four-month period from April to last month, apprehending a total of 311 individuals. This number represents a 42% increase compared to last year (215 people).
A 73-year-old resident of Hampyeong, Jeollanam-do, Mr. A, was caught secretly cultivating 3,050 poppy plants in a garden near his home. In Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do, six foreign workers including Mr. B (36) were apprehended for illegally cultivating five hemp plants in a garden near a seafood freezing factory.
The Coast Guard seized 16,955 poppy plants and 132.88 grams of hemp during this crackdown. This is 1.08 times and 119.8 times higher, respectively, than the 8,157 poppy plants and 1.1 grams of hemp seized last year.
It was revealed that they illegally cultivated hemp and poppies despite knowing it was illegal, intending to use them as over-the-counter medicine for pain and cough relief, or for edible and ornamental purposes.
Hemp and poppies are highly addictive and can cause serious side effects such as central nervous system paralysis in addition to hallucinations. Cultivating them without permission can result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won.
A Coast Guard official stated, "Recently, drugs have been easily distributed even among teenagers, rapidly spreading across all age groups," adding, "According to the government's strict stance on drug crimes, even cultivating a single poppy plant with intent can lead to punishment under the Narcotics Control Act."
Hot Picks Today
"Stocks Are Not Taxed, but Annual Crypto Gains Over 2.5 Million Won to Be Taxed Next Year... Investors Push Back"
- "Not Jealous of Winning the Lottery"... Entire Village Stunned as 200 Million Won Jackpot of Wild Ginseng Cluster Discovered at Jirisan
- "Jeong Yu-kyung Is a Neighbor"...Itaewon Standalone House with Record 23.2 Billion Won Appraisal Up for Auction [Real Estate AtoZ]
- "How Did an Employee Who Loved Samsung End Up Like This?"... Past Video of Samsung Electronics Union Chairman Resurfaces
- "Even With a 90 Million Won Salary and Bonuses, It Doesn’t Feel Like Much"... A Latecomer Rookie Who Beat 70 to 1 Odds [Scientists Are Disappearing] ③
Since April, the Coast Guard has formed a dedicated drug investigation team to strongly respond to crimes such as maritime drug smuggling, distribution, and use.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
