Synthetic Marijuana and Ketamine Seizures Triple in Scale for New Psychoactive Substances

The amount of newly identified drugs, including psychotropic substances, seized has nearly tripled in one year.

According to data received by Yang Kyung-sook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, from the Korea Customs Service on the 4th, the value of newly identified drugs seized last year was approximately 10.8 billion KRW, a 187% increase compared to 3.8 billion KRW in 2021. The quantity seized increased by 87% to 267 kg.

Newly identified drugs refer to psychotropic substances excluding Philopon and temporary narcotics. This includes MDMA (commonly known as Ecstasy), Rush, Zolpidem, and Propofol.

Last year, the overall scale of drug seizures, including Philopon and cocaine, decreased. The total quantity seized was 624 kg, and the seizure value was 60 billion KRW, down 51% and 87% respectively from the previous year.

Meanwhile, the scale of newly identified drug seizures increased, with synthetic cannabis at 91 kg (6 billion KRW), MDMA at 25 kg (1.9 billion KRW), and ketamine at 22 kg (1.7 billion KRW) being the most commonly seized. In particular, synthetic cannabis seizures increased by 499% in quantity and 624% in value compared to the previous year. MDMA increased by 211% and 39%, and ketamine by 277% and 205%, respectively.

The scale of smuggling is also gradually increasing. The average weight per drug seizure case for MDMA rose from 103 g in 2021 to 347 g last year, and for ketamine from 174 g to 557 g during the same period, more than tripling.

Representative Yang pointed out that these substances produce effects such as hallucinations, intoxication, and memory loss even in very small doses, raising concerns about their use in crimes. MDMA is known as a so-called 'club drug,' and ketamine is used in sexual crimes. She also expressed concern that the psychological barriers among young people toward newly identified drugs are weakening, as revealed in recent drug seizure cases involving celebrities.

According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, people in their 20s and 30s accounted for 56.8% of all drug offenders in 2021, making up the majority. The lowered difficulty of drug smuggling through the dark web (websites accessible only via specific programs) and social media (SNS) is also a concern.

Representative Yang said, "In addition to drugs like cannabis and Philopon, the use of club drugs, which have a strong influence on young people, has a greater negative impact on our society," and added, "We will demand thorough crackdowns on newly identified drugs by drug enforcement agencies such as the prosecution, police, and customs, as well as stronger punishments for celebrities and public figures."