"South Koreans Pass Easily"...Large Group of South Koreans Arrested for International Drug Trafficking

Bags Handed Over in Thailand and Canada, Then Transported to Europe

14 Arrested; 4 South Koreans Imprisoned Abroad

Exploited Relatively Simple Entry Screening for South Koreans

A group of South Koreans who transported marijuana from countries such as Thailand and Canada to Europe under the orders of overseas drug trafficking organizations have been arrested by the police in large numbers. Authorities found that the group exploited the fact that South Koreans undergo relatively simple entry screening in certain European countries to carry out their activities.

Marijuana Detected by Airport X-ray. Yonhap News Agency

On May 7, Yonhap News reported that the Metropolitan Crime Investigation Unit of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency had arrested 14 people, including Mr. A, who was the domestic head recruiter for the operations, on charges such as violating the Special Act on the Prevention of Illegal Trade in Narcotics. Of these, seven have been detained, and an additional four domestic couriers were caught in Belgium and Türkiye and are currently imprisoned locally.

The group is accused of checking in travel bags containing marijuana as airline baggage and transporting them from Thailand and Canada to European countries such as the United Kingdom and Belgium between March and December of last year.

According to the police investigation, the group acted under the orders of three foreign leaders of organizations from countries including China and Vietnam. The criminal organizations either operated marijuana farms locally in Thailand or secured marijuana in Thailand and Canada, then recruited South Korean couriers to send the drugs to Europe.

The couriers would depart South Korea for Thailand or Canada and, just before boarding their flights to Europe, received bags containing marijuana from local contacts. Throughout the departure, transit, and arrival process, they reported details—including photos of the bags—to the organization. Upon successful delivery, they received a commission of 5 million to 10 million won per shipment, paid via bank transfer or cryptocurrency, depending on the quantity.

The police believe the organization specifically targeted European countries where entry screening for South Koreans is relatively simple. Officers also confirmed evidence that couriers were instructed to testify, if caught, that they had unknowingly transported the bags at the request of a stranger encountered during their travels.

Authorities estimate that the total amount of marijuana transported between countries by the group reached approximately 350 kilograms.

Vacuum-packed hemp inside a travel bag. Yonhap News

The police have requested Interpol red notices for three criminal ringleaders and have arranged for notification upon entry into South Korea for the four couriers currently imprisoned overseas. They have also initiated pre-indictment seizure of criminal proceeds totaling 60.23 million won obtained through these activities.

A police official stated, "If someone offers you a high-paying part-time job involving overseas travel or transporting items, you must refuse," and added, "We will strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies to prevent the distribution of narcotics domestically and abroad and to respond to transnational crime."

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