11 Thai Nationals Arrested for Selling Illegal Projectile Devices Such as Arrowheads and Steel Marbles

Eleven Thai nationals were arrested by the police for manufacturing, selling, and purchasing illegal launching devices such as arrowheads and steel balls. It was investigated that they purchased the illegal launching devices to hunt birds and fish during their leisure time.

On the 28th, the International Crime Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that they arrested two manufacturers and sellers, including a Thai national A, and nine Thai nationals who purchased and possessed illegal launching devices on charges of violating the Act on the Safety Control of Firearms, Swords, and Explosives. Illegal launching devices sold by A. / Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency

On the 28th, the International Crime Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Investigation Unit at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that they had apprehended two manufacturers and sellers, including a 29-year-old Thai national identified as A, and nine Thai nationals who purchased and possessed illegal launching devices, on charges of violating the Act on the Safety Control of Guns, Knives, and Explosives.

According to the police, A is suspected of selling illegal launching devices capable of firing arrowheads and steel balls using rubber bands and launch supports through social networking services (SNS) from September 2021 to August of this year.

A entered the country in 2018 and worked on farms in Gyeongnam Province while staying illegally. He learned how to manufacture launching devices through YouTube. He purchased parts necessary for manufacturing the launching devices via overseas direct purchase. Since it was difficult to package the finished products, he sold the parts as sets and taught buyers how to assemble the launching devices through live broadcasts on SNS or messengers. A sold a total of 420 times, earning approximately 65 million KRW.

The sold launching devices were designed to fire arrowheads and steel balls using the elasticity of rubber bands. According to the National Forensic Service, their power, including penetration ability, is strong enough to cause harm to human life and body. The sold arrowheads have a structure with auxiliary wings that open to prevent them from falling out after hitting the target. Additionally, the devices are equipped with launch stands and scopes, enhancing accuracy and enabling long-distance shooting.

The police received intelligence in July that illegal launching devices were being distributed through SNS and began an investigation. Through SNS analysis and execution of search warrants, they identified and arrested A, seizing four launching devices, arrowheads, steel balls, and a large number of parts that were being stored for sale. Based on A’s statements, account transactions, and delivery records, they identified 53 recent shipping locations and arrested nine buyers, seizing approximately 11 additional launching devices. The buyers were found to have low awareness of the illegality of the launching devices and mainly worked on rural farms, purchasing the devices to hunt birds and fish by the riverside during their leisure time.

A police official stated, "We will continue active crackdowns, including strengthening intelligence activities against those manufacturing and selling illegal launching devices that could be used in violent crimes." He added, "We plan to block the distribution of illegal homemade launching devices by conducting awareness campaigns about their illegality and dangers through domestic foreigner communities and other channels."

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