Smartphone applications are increasing as a window to traffic in drugs among young people. (Image : Pixabay)
JEONJU, Jan.7 (Korea Bizwire) – Smartphone applications are increasing as a window to traffic in drugs among young people.
In the past, most drug users were in their 40s and 50s. However, the number of those in their 20s and 30s who are seduced by drugs is increasing with the proliferation of drug trafficking through smartphone apps and SNS.
Nine people including Kim (23) were arrested for buying and using crystal meth in December after purchasing the drugs through smartphone applications. Five out of the nine who were arrested were in their 20s. Kim expressed regret about the crime, confessing that the drugs were purchased out of curiosity.
Nine people including Kim (23) were arrested for buying and using crystal meth in December after purchasing the drugs through smartphone applications. (Image : Yonhap)
Prior to the recent arrest, five others including Lee (35) were apprehended for selling drugs through smartphone applications in April 2015. They were lured in by a post on a chat application which claimed to sell ‘sleeping pills’. Three of those arrested were in their 30s.
Since young people are buying drugs through smartphone apps, which are considered to be popular among young people, most of those arrested are first-time offenders who purchased drugs out of curiosity.
In the 2000s, most drug deals occurred through internet cafés. However the police explain that smartphone apps are the ‘latest trend’ in drug trafficking among members of the younger generations.
Although most committed the crime out of simple curiosity, it was difficult for the police to track them down.
The chat application where drugs are sold is a private app which disposes of all conversation histories, making it hard for police to find traces of drug deals.
Police officials say that they will block drug trafficking by continuously monitoring the application used for dealing drugs.
By M.H.Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
