Crackdown Scene (Image provided by Suwon West Police Station, Gyeonggi Province)
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korean authorities have apprehended 39 individuals in a sweeping raid on a foreigners-only club in Suwon, suspected of drug trafficking and employing undocumented workers, the police announced on November 2.
The raid, conducted by the Suwon West Police and Suwon Immigration Office, targeted a club catering exclusively to Vietnamese nationals. Among those detained were 12 for drug use, 22 undocumented residents, and 5 for illegal employment.
The operation followed intelligence gathered in September, indicating that the club operated as a reservation-only venue for Vietnamese clientele, where drugs such as methamphetamine and MDMA were allegedly distributed, and undocumented individuals were employed.
The raid, which involved 255 personnel, was meticulously planned, with authorities securing building blueprints and blocking three secret exit routes to prevent escapes. All 96 individuals present at the club, including 85 patrons and 11 staff, were questioned.
Police Officers Executing a Search Warrant (Image provided by Suwon West Police Station, Gyeonggi Province)
Twelve patrons, aged in their 20s and 30s, tested positive for drug use, with substances including methamphetamine and MDMA detected. Among them, 11 were Vietnamese nationals, and one was a naturalized Korean citizen.
During the raid, a small amount of ketamine (0.7 grams) was discovered, but no other drugs were found on the premises. One detainee admitted to purchasing a methamphetamine-laced beverage for 100,000 KRW (approximately $75).
Authorities plan to investigate the club owner and patrons further to identify the suppliers and the drug distribution network. Undocumented workers will undergo deportation procedures, and the police and immigration office intend to continue collaborative efforts to combat drug-related crimes in foreigner-targeted venues.
This operation underscores the increasing scrutiny of drug activity and illegal employment in specialized establishments across South Korea.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
