'Drugs Spread Along with Guns'... Prosecution's First Domestic Arrest of 'Simultaneous Smuggling Offenders'

The prosecution has arrested and indicted a suspect who smuggled drugs and firearms simultaneously, marking the first such case in South Korea.

The Special Investigation Team for Drug Crimes at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Team Leader: Chief Prosecutor Shin Junho) announced on the 10th that they apprehended Jang Mo (49), a drug dealer who disguised methamphetamine and firearms as moving goods imported from the United States, and indicted him on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes for psychotropic substances and the Firearms, Knives, and Explosives Control Act.

All items seized by the prosecution during the arrest of suspects smuggling drugs and firearms simultaneously
[Photo by the Central District Prosecutors' Office]

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According to the prosecution, Jang is accused of vacuum-packing 3.2 kg of methamphetamine into nine plastic bags, hiding them in a sofa table, and concealing a Philippine-made .45 caliber pistol and 50 rounds of ammunition in a toolbox at his residence in Los Angeles, USA, before smuggling them into South Korea disguised as moving goods. The methamphetamine and firearms sent by Jang from the United States arrived at Busan Port on September 9 of last year. Investigations also revealed that Jang consumed the methamphetamine by placing a small amount on cooking foil, heating it with a lighter, and inhaling the resulting smoke. As a U.S. permanent resident, Jang worked as a drug dealer in areas including Los Angeles and committed these crimes while returning to South Korea after ending his life in the United States.

The prosecution has been tracking Jang’s movements since December of last year after receiving intelligence from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office's Drug and Organized Crime Division. In March, they secured records of Jang’s phone calls with other drug offenders and, in cooperation with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), identified information about him. Subsequently, they conducted a search of Jang’s residence, confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and firearms, and made an urgent arrest.

A prosecution official stated, "By arresting and detaining Jang, we have blocked the large-scale distribution of drugs domestically and prevented potential firearm incidents that could have led to serious crimes or disasters." The official added, "We operate a 'Drug Investigation Working Group' with related agencies such as customs to conduct thorough investigations and ensure the complete prevention of drug inflow and distribution within the country."

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