American Who Smuggled Philopon into Korea... Forced Repatriation from Germany After 7 Months

by Lee Jieun

Published 25 Apr.2024 09:16(KST)

An American who smuggled methamphetamine into South Korea is set to be forcibly repatriated to the country seven months after being arrested by German police.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Narcotics Crime Investigation Unit announced on the 26th that A, a U.S. national who was red-listed by Interpol on charges including methamphetamine smuggling (violation of the Narcotics Control Act), is scheduled to be repatriated to Korea on the 26th.

According to the police, A is suspected of attempting to smuggle 500g of methamphetamine concealed inside an air cargo shipment of baseball bats last year, and conspiring with another American to smuggle approximately 1.95kg of methamphetamine hidden in the partition of a travel suitcase.

The police obtained an arrest warrant for A and requested a red notice from Interpol, which was approved on September 6 of last year. A was arrested by German police on the 27th of the same month.

Subsequently, with the extradition trial finalized, A's forced repatriation to Korea was decided.

A police official stated, "We plan to apply for a detention warrant immediately upon receiving the suspect's custody," and added, "We will continue to cooperate closely with foreign countries and do our best to forcibly repatriate major suspects who are red-listed."