52.7% of the 2030 Generation... 116% Increase in Teenage Drug Offenders
Application of Organized Crime Group Charges and Freezing of Criminal Proceeds
The National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters announced on the 16th that, after operating a three-month intensive crackdown period on drug-related crimes, a total of 3,670 suspects were arrested, of whom 909 were detained.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Narcotics Crime Investigation Unit arrested eight suspects who smuggled drugs using air special cargo from overseas and distributed them domestically between November 2021 and November 2022. The video shows the suspects distributing drugs. / Photo by Police Agency
The National Investigation Headquarters announced the interim results of the intensive crackdown on drug-related crimes, which will continue until the end of July. From March to May this year, the police arrested 3,670 drug offenders. This represents a 21% increase compared to the same period last year (3,033). The number of detainees also rose from 509 to 909. During this process, the police seized 37.9 kg of methamphetamine, enough for 1.26 million simultaneous doses.
Following a drug beverage extortion incident that occurred in the academy district of Daechi-dong, Gangnam in April, the police declared an all-out war on drugs and formed a joint crackdown task force, actively responding to crime suppression and prevention.
52.7% of Drug Offenders Are in Their 20s and 30s... Teenagers Also Reach 200
It was found that more than half of the drug offenders were in their 20s and 30s. People in their 20s and 30s accounted for 1,133 (30.9%) and 800 (21.8%) respectively, making up 52.7% of the total. Teen drug offenders also reached 212, an increase of 116.3% compared to the same period last year (98). This was followed by those in their 40s (572), 60s and older (552), and 50s (401).
Among the types of drug-related crimes detected this time, simple drug use offenders (2,063) accounted for 56.2% of the total, making it the largest group. Meanwhile, sales offenders were counted at 1,060. Illegal cultivation (299), manufacturing and smuggling (48) followed.
Foreign drug offenders accounted for 15.6% of the total. By nationality, Thailand (293), China (140), and Vietnam (100) were the top three. Club drug offenders also increased 3.1 times compared to the same period last year, with 162 arrested.
Police Arrests in Succession... "Applying Organized Crime Group Charges and Freezing Criminal Proceeds"
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Drug Crime Investigation Unit arrested eight suspects who smuggled drugs into the country using overseas air special cargo from November 2021 to November 2022. Four of them were detained.
The Gyeongbuk Police Agency's Drug Crime Investigation Unit arrested 45 people, including Thai distributors, buyers, and users of yaba at foreigner clubs in Gyeongbuk from August 2022 to last month, detaining 27 of them. The Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency's Violent Crime Investigation Unit arrested 57 people, including employees and users distributing ketamine and ecstasy to customers at clubs in Gangnam from February 2022 to last month, detaining 10. The police seized 651g of ketamine, 126 ecstasy pills, and 550,000 won in cash.
Due to the police's extensive publicity and arrests, 112 emergency calls also increased significantly. Drug-related 112 calls rose from 1,382 to 5,875, a 4.3-fold increase. Through this, 366 drug-related crimes were detected.
Thorough investigations continued. At the early stages of investigation, the police confirmed whether drug crimes were organized and empowered, applying organized crime group charges to a total of three drug cases (14 people) and sending them for prosecution. Additionally, they froze criminal proceeds worth 350 million won, removing economic factors that promote drug distribution.
Efforts to eradicate drug crimes are ongoing. The police deployed School Police Officers (SPO) and others on-site to conduct special drug crime prevention education for a total of 956,219 youths.
During the period of intensive monitoring and reporting of drug-related advertising activities, 21,089 posts suspected of potentially inducing drug crimes were requested to be deleted. The police maintain close cooperation with domestic investigative agencies centered on the Special Drug Crime Investigation Headquarters and the Investigation Working Council.
The National Police Agency stated, "We will continue strong crackdowns to eradicate drugs that threaten the safety of the people and society," and added, "We will closely cooperate with related ministries to ensure that prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation policies are implemented in parallel."
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