Methamphetamine and Marijuana Smuggling Ring Arrested in South Korea

Ten, Including a Brazilian Man in His 40s, Arrested
Methamphetamine Smuggled into Korea via Laos and Thailand
Nine Droppers Targeting Domestic Distribution Also Apprehended

A group that smuggled large quantities of drugs such as marijuana and methamphetamine from overseas into South Korea has been arrested by the police.

Seoul Gwangjin Police Station. Photo by Jaehyun Park

On June 11, the Seoul Gwangjin Police Station announced that it had arrested 10 people, including a man in his 40s identified as A, on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. A woman in her 30s, referred to as B, was booked without detention on the same charges.

According to police, A, a Brazilian national, is accused of concealing approximately 1 kilogram of methamphetamine inside his body and smuggling it into the country from Laos.

A hid the methamphetamine, which was vacuum-packed, on his person and smuggled it into Korea via Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and China. Police believe that an overseas drug organization was involved in this process. A was apprehended last month at a motel in Incheon.

B was caught while bringing in marijuana that she had divided up in Thailand. Afterward, police sequentially arrested nine additional suspects, including a distributor (known as a "dropper"), who attempted to receive the marijuana from B.

During the arrest of this group, police seized 1,257 grams of methamphetamine, 200 grams of marijuana, and 50 grams of ketamine. This amount is worth approximately 540 million won, enough for 40,000 people to use simultaneously.

A police official stated, "Since drugs smuggled from overseas are being distributed within the country using methods such as 'throwing' (dead drops), we ask that if you see any suspicious persons or items, please report them immediately to 112 or the nearest police station. We will respond strictly, including arrest investigations, to any involvement in drug smuggling or distribution crimes."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.