At 90 percent, the vast majority of the 382 reported cases of drug smuggling in South Korea last year were via international mail (240 cases), airplane passengers (63 cases) and express package shipments (60 cases). (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – At 90 percent, the vast majority of the 382 reported cases of drug smuggling in South Korea last year were via international mail (240 cases), airplane passengers (63 cases) and express package shipments (60 cases).
According to National Assemblyman and member of the Strategy and Finance Committee Shim Jae Cheol, air transport has emerged as a new route for drug smuggling, and cargo ships, fishing boats and other means of transport by sea are now relics of the past.
On September 19, Shim revealed through a government white paper from the Korea Customs Service that more than 50 kilograms of illegal narcotics were confiscated in 382 cases last year. The street value of the seized drugs was estimated at 88.7 billion won, 94 percent of which were smuggled by air transport.
The Korea Customs Service’s report highlights a steadily rising frequency in drug smuggling busts, which naturally leads to the conclusion that demand for such banned substances is equally on the rise.
The majority of the drugs seized last year were methamphetamines at 19.6 kilograms, with the rest being cocaine (11 kilograms) and marijuana (8.4 kilograms). (Image: Yonhap)
From 2012 to 2015, the government seized 33.8, 46.4, 71.7 and 91.6 kilograms of narcotics each year.
International mail has continued to be a favored method of delivery for drug smugglers this year. In the first half of the year, there were 145 reported cases, with customs agents seizing 17.9 kilograms of drugs valued at 32.9 billion won. In comparison, 15.7 kilograms valued at 18.7 billion won were seized during the same period last year.
The majority of the drugs seized last year were methamphetamines at 19.6 kilograms, with the rest being cocaine (11 kilograms) and marijuana (8.4 kilograms).
In addition, concerns over the involvement of members of the U.S. Military in drug smuggling have increased, as 8.2 kilograms of illegal narcotics were discovered to have passed through the U.S. Military postal system (JMMT).
The quantity of narcotics transported through the JMMT had been moving on a downward trajectory since 2012, culminating at 69 grams moved in 2014.
Shim stressed the need for law enforcement and customs agencies to introduce systematic approaches to stop drug smuggling, and said that new types of drugs previously nonexistent domestically were being brought in for foreigners and students with international experience.
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
