Crackdown on Illegal Poppy and Cannabis Cultivation
The West Sea Regional Coast Guard Headquarters (Chief Lee Myungjun) announced on the 4th that it will conduct a special crackdown on drug-related crimes, as smuggling of narcotics via maritime routes is increasing and illegal cultivation of poppy and cannabis continues to occur in fishing villages and island areas.
This crackdown will be carried out until July 31, coinciding with the poppy flowering season (May to June) and the cannabis harvest season (July).
The West Sea Coast Guard's Narcotics Investigation Unit will organize a task force centered on narcotics detectives from local coast guard stations to focus on cracking down on illegal cultivation of poppy and cannabis in coastal areas, islands, around fish farms, and concealed indoor and outdoor spaces.
In particular, in cooperation with domestic and international agencies responsible for narcotics control, the Coast Guard plans to intensively crack down on smuggling of narcotics via ships such as international passenger vessels and foreign-going vessels, as well as on the supply, distribution, and use of narcotics among domestic and foreign maritime workers and in areas with large populations of foreign laborers.
A representative of the West Sea Coast Guard Headquarters stated, "We will conduct strong enforcement activities along with public awareness efforts to create a safe maritime environment free from drugs," and urged, "If you suspect any drug-related crimes, please report them to the nearest coast guard station."
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