Seoul Gwangjin Police Arrest Foreign Drug Trafficking Organization... Seize 52kg of Ketamine and 70,000 Ecstasy Pills

An overseas drug trafficking organization attempted to smuggle a large quantity of drugs into South Korea via international parcel delivery, concealed within decorative pottery fragments, but was apprehended by the police. It has been revealed that they attempted to distribute the seized narcotics nationwide using the 'throwing' method, causing shock.

On the 8th, the Seoul Gwangjin Police Station announced the arrest of two foreign members of a drug trafficking organization suspected of illegally importing and distributing large quantities of drugs using the 'throwing' method. The police seized approximately 52kg of ketamine and about 70,000 ecstasy pills from them, an enormous amount that about 1.2 million people could use simultaneously, with a street value of approximately 12 billion KRW.

Police investigation revealed that the organization meticulously concealed the drugs inside decorative pottery fragments to disguise them. These drugs were transported to South Korea from Germany via international parcel delivery, and it was found that the organization members who entered the country through Gimhae International Airport and Incheon International Airport respectively spearheaded the domestic distribution. They were confirmed to have established a clandestine distribution network through social networking services (SNS) such as Telegram and directly attempted to sell the drugs domestically.

The organization members carried out the work of subdividing and packaging the smuggled drugs at a hideout prepared in the Ulsan area. Afterward, to evade police tracking, they mainly utilized a covert distribution method called 'throwing'. The 'throwing' method involves secretly hiding drugs in a specific location and providing the buyer with the location information online, characterized by minimizing contact through non-face-to-face transactions. Evidence was found that they attempted to distribute drugs in this way in various locations nationwide, including Pohang and Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

After a persistent investigation, the police raided an officetel in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, and a hideout in Ulsan, successfully apprehending a German man in his 20s and a Polish man at the scene. Along with the seized narcotics, packaging tools and communication devices believed to have been used by them were also secured, and the investigation is being expanded to identify additional accomplices and distribution routes.

A police official expressed concern, stating, "Recently, cases of drug distribution using the 'throwing' method, centered around online platforms, have been frequently occurring." He emphasized, "We urge citizens not to touch any unidentified or suspicious objects found in parks or secluded places and to immediately report them to 112 or the nearest police station."

This case illustrates the serious reality that international drug smuggling organizations are increasingly attempting to infiltrate the domestic drug market through bolder and more sophisticated methods. While large-scale smuggling via sea routes was prevalent in the past, the recent increase in cases exploiting everyday logistics systems such as international parcel delivery necessitates stronger surveillance and international cooperation from the authorities. In particular, as cases of narcotics originating from Europe flowing into the country are consistently being reported, information sharing and investigative cooperation with these countries are becoming increasingly important.

The seized ketamine is mainly used as an anesthetic during surgery, but it is often illegally distributed as a 'club drug' in entertainment districts due to its hallucinogenic effects. Ecstasy, with MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) as its active ingredient, is a synthetic drug that exhibits strong hallucinogenic and stimulant effects and can cause serious side effects. The fact that such socially harmful drugs were about to be distributed in large quantities underscores the gravity of this case.

The police plan to focus their investigation on the apprehended organization members regarding their drug smuggling and distribution routes, the involvement of accomplices, and any additional criminal activities. Furthermore, they will trace SNS accounts such as Telegram used by them to block online distribution networks and expand the investigation into other drug trafficking cases using the 'throwing' method.

Domestic drug crime has been showing a trend of spreading among young people, emerging as a social problem. In particular, with the increase in drug transactions through online platforms and SNS, which facilitate non-face-to-face transactions, accessibility to drugs is becoming easier compared to the past. Accordingly, the police are strengthening cyber drug investigation personnel and making multifaceted efforts, such as cooperating with online platform operators to promptly block drug-related posts and accounts.

Experts point out that to solve the drug problem, it is necessary to strengthen crackdowns and punishments, as well as to enhance drug addiction prevention education and rehabilitation systems. In particular, they suggest that it is urgent to develop customized prevention education programs targeting adolescents and young adults and to establish a systematic rehabilitation system that supports drug addicts in successfully returning to society.

This case of drug smuggling in pottery from Germany is an example that vividly shows the clandestine and audacious criminal methods of international drug organizations. Through the swift and thorough investigation by the police, efforts to prevent additional crimes and eradicate domestic drug distribution networks must be further strengthened. The active reporting and cooperation of citizens will also play an important role in creating a safe society.