Daegu District Court Sentences Two to 3 to 3.5 Years Imprisonment for Smuggling 'Hiroppong' in Air Cargo into Korea

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] The Criminal Division 11 of Daegu District Court (Chief Judge Kim Sang-yoon) announced on the 18th that A (34), who was indicted for hiding methamphetamine (Philopon) in air cargo and smuggling it into the country (violation of the Narcotics Control Act), was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison and fined 7.7 million won.

In addition, co-perpetrator B (34) was sentenced to 3 years in prison and fined 3.85 million won.

They were prosecuted for smuggling a total of 50g of Philopon into the country in five instances using the same method, including hiding 15g of Philopon in air cargo with the help of an accomplice in the United States in September last year.

It was revealed that A and others committed the crime by transferring drug purchase funds to an accomplice in the United States, who then sent air express cargo to a local address in Korea.

The court explained the sentencing rationale, stating, "Considering the circumstances and methods of the crime, as well as the quantity smuggled, the nature of the crime is serious and the culpability is heavy," adding, "However, the defendant confessed to the crime and showed remorse."