"Drug Trafficking in Philippine Prisons"…Korean National Police Agency Cooperates with the Philippines on Drug Investigation

The Narcotics Organized Crime Investigation Division of the Criminal Bureau at the National Police Agency announced on the 27th that they visited the Philippine judicial authorities to discuss joint responses to drug-related crimes.

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This visit was arranged to reflect on the seriousness of the increasingly transnational drug crimes triggered by drug smuggling cases originating from the Philippines, and to establish a close communication system for eradicating drugs.

The Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Police Agency identified the facts of a case where Mr. A, incarcerated in a Philippine prison, received methamphetamine from a distributor after a meeting and sold it domestically, arresting three distributors who were all detained. The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency arrested a total of 59 people and detained 23 in connection with a case where Mr. B, imprisoned in a Philippine prison, smuggled methamphetamine and instructed distributors to sell it.

Baek Seung-eon, head of the Narcotics Organized Crime Investigation Division at the National Police Agency, emphasized to the Philippine Customs Service that cases of drug smuggling originating from the Philippines have recently increased, requesting thorough inspections of luggage bound for Korea.

The Philippine National Police was asked to actively cooperate in capturing major Interpol red notice fugitives. The Philippine Immigration Service promised to prioritize the arrest of suspects for whom red notice measures have been completed following Interpol requests from Korea. The Philippine Bureau of Corrections also pledged to search the mobile phones of Korean inmates and to isolate them in solitary confinement to prevent involvement in drug supply within prisons, with transfers planned if necessary.

The National Police Agency announced that, in consultation with the Philippine Department of Justice, Mr. C, who is wanted under a red notice for methamphetamine smuggling, is scheduled to be extradited to Korea in early next month.

The National Police Agency emphasized, "This visit has become an opportunity to expand cooperation between the two countries," and added, "We will strive to create a safe social community free from drug crimes by blocking drug smuggling through continuous exchanges with other countries."

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