Illegal Cultivation of Poppy and Hemp Detected 1,079 Cases in 5 Years... Coast Guard Agency Intensifies Crackdown

Cases of secretly cultivating poppies and hemp are increasing every year, prompting the Coast Guard to launch intensive crackdowns.

The Korea Coast Guard announced on the 2nd that it will intensively crack down on illegal cultivation of poppies and hemp until July 31, as the poppy flowering season and hemp harvest season approach. Additionally, until November 30, the Coast Guard will strengthen crackdowns on drug smuggling via sea routes and drug distribution and use among maritime workers.

Large-scale cultivation of poppies for opium production is rare in Korea, but in some fishing villages and island areas, small-scale cultivation has occasionally been detected, mistakenly believed to be effective for treating seasickness and pain as a folk remedy. From 2019 to 2023, the Coast Guard has uncovered 1,079 cases of illegal poppy cultivation, seizing a total of 53,974 poppy plants.

Poppies Illegally Cultivated in a Greenhouse
Photo by Korea Coast Guard

Hemp cultivation is only permitted for very limited purposes, such as by licensed hemp handlers growing hemp to obtain fiber or seeds, or by academic researchers cultivating hemp for scholarly research.

However, recently, cases of cultivating and distributing hemp indoors in urban homes using various equipment to evade crackdowns have been continuously detected, not only in remote fishing villages and island areas.

The Coast Guard plans to use banners, electronic displays, and social networking services (SNS) to promote awareness to prevent illegal cultivation of poppies and hemp. At the same time, it will strongly crack down on illegal cultivation in concealed places such as greenhouses, vegetable gardens, and yards in fishing villages to fundamentally block the supply of narcotics.

Most poppy illegal cultivators are elderly people aged 60 or older, and many cases involve cultivation for medicinal substitutes or ornamental purposes before criminal charges. Therefore, the Coast Guard plans to actively apply the Minor Offense Review System to offenders who cultivate fewer than 50 plants. The Minor Offense Review System is designed to reduce or waive penalties for minor crimes to improve the system that prosecutes even trivial offenders.

Originally, cultivating, selling, or using hemp and poppies without narcotics handling qualifications or cultivation permits is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won under relevant laws.

A Coast Guard official said, "We will strongly crack down to create a marine environment safe from drugs," and urged, "If illegal cultivation of poppies or hemp is suspected, please report it to the nearest Coast Guard station."

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