Jeju Coast Guard Cheong to Conduct Crackdown on Illegal Cultivation of Opium Poppy and Hemp Until July

The Jeju Regional Coast Guard will conduct crackdowns on the illegal cultivation of poppies and hemp until July 31.

According to the Jeju Regional Coast Guard on the 3rd, this crackdown was initiated to eradicate illegal activities as the cultivation and distribution of poppies and hemp are widespread and are being used and distributed for over-the-counter medicine and folk remedies.

Opium poppy for crackdown. [Photo by Jeju Coast Guard]

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As the blooming season of poppies and the harvest season of hemp approach, the Jeju Coast Guard plans to designate this month as a focused crackdown period to fundamentally block illegal cultivation of poppies and hemp, which are raw materials for the narcotic 'opium,' concentrating on eight locations including Udo and other inhabited island areas within Jeju Island.

In particular, they will thoroughly inspect illegal cultivation activities in places difficult for vehicles and people to access and concealed locations such as greenhouses, vegetable gardens, building rooftops, and flower beds where illegal cultivation or wild growth is suspected. They will also strengthen patrols of island areas using aircraft as part of proactive preventive crackdowns.

Additionally, regarding ornamental poppies, which are not subject to crackdown, the authorities plan to crack down on illegal cultivation disguised as ornamental poppies in parks or wild growth to evade enforcement, especially when narcotic-containing poppies are planted together with ornamental poppies.

In response to the recent spread of narcotics crimes in daily life, such as non-face-to-face drug distribution, they also plan to thoroughly crack down on acts of secret distribution, illicit manufacturing, and trafficking through maritime routes such as passenger ships, as well as drug use and smoking.

A Jeju Coast Guard official said, "Through this crackdown, we will completely block marine narcotics crimes involving poppies and hemp to create a safe marine environment," and added, "If it is difficult to distinguish between poppies for crackdown and ornamental poppies, please take a photo and contact the Jeju Coast Guard."

He continued, "If you suspect narcotics crimes such as illegal cultivation of poppies, please immediately report to the Jeju Coast Guard Narcotics Investigation Unit or the nearest coast guard station."

Meanwhile, if caught cultivating, selling, or using poppies and hemp without narcotics handling qualifications or cultivation permits, offenders will be subject to imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won under the Narcotics Control Act.

Jeju = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil baekok@asiae.co.kr

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