Gang Arrested and Referred to Prosecution for Smuggling Meth Worth 10.3 Billion Won

3.2 kg of Methamphetamine Seized, Enough for 100,000 Doses
11 Including Main Distributor Referred for Arrest

A group involved in smuggling a large quantity of methamphetamine from Cambodia into South Korea for distribution has been handed over to prosecutors.

The Jungnang Police Station in Seoul announced on July 20 that it had referred 11 people, including A, a domestic distribution ringleader in his 40s, for prosecution in custody on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act, and referred six others in the organization without detention.

According to the police, A and his accomplices are accused of smuggling large quantities of methamphetamine and other narcotics from Cambodia and distributing them domestically.

The investigation revealed that A’s group divided roles among members for domestic sales, intermediate sales, brokerage, usage, cannabis sales, as well as possession and storage to carry out the operation. During the investigation, police also seized 3.2 kg of methamphetamine (worth approximately 10.3 billion won), which is enough for around 100,000 people to use simultaneously, in addition to 234 grams of a new drug called “wax,” 349 grams of cannabis, and other controlled substances.

This investigation began based on a drug-related tip received via the 112 emergency hotline in March. Police tracked the distribution channel after arresting a suspect for methamphetamine use and identified the kingpin of domestic sales. After about two months of pursuit, police apprehended A at a highway rest area parking lot last May. At that time, approximately 2 kg of methamphetamine stored in the vehicle’s trunk was also confiscated.

On May 29, a scene of seizing about 2 kg of methamphetamine stored in the trunk of a vehicle during the arrest of a major domestic drug distributor at a highway rest area parking lot. Photo by Jungnang Police Station, Seoul

Subsequently, police received intelligence that one of two Malaysian women who smuggled methamphetamine into Korea would re-enter the country. On July 8, in cooperation with the Incheon International Airport Police, the police arrested B, a Malaysian courier in her 20s. At the time, B had allegedly hidden about 1 kg of methamphetamine, split into two 500-gram portions, in the soles of her sneakers in an attempt to bring it into the country.

The police are continuing their investigation into the supplier based in Cambodia and other distribution members who have yet to be apprehended.

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