A group of members from an international drug trafficking organization who attempted to smuggle and sell ketamine and ecstasy?enough for 1.2 million doses?into South Korea have been arrested and detained.
Approximately 52 kg of ketamine seized by the police from an international drug trafficking organization. Photo by Byun Seonjin
The Seoul Gwangjin Police Station announced on May 8 that they have detained a German national, identified as A (in their 20s), and a Polish national, identified as B (in their 20s), on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. The police transferred A to the prosecution on May 2, and B is scheduled to be transferred on May 9.
According to the police, these individuals, who are members of an international drug organization, are accused of smuggling narcotics concealed inside decorative ceramic figurines and distributing them via Telegram.
They reportedly entered South Korea under the direction of a specific drug organization in Germany, received international parcels containing narcotics, repackaged the drugs at an accommodation in Ulsan, and then distributed them nationwide?including in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, and Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province?using the so-called "throwing" method.
The police stated that they seized approximately 52 kg of ketamine and about 70,000 tablets of ecstasy from these individuals. This amount is sufficient for simultaneous use by around 1.2 million people and is valued at approximately 12 billion won.
A police official said, "As drug distribution using the 'throwing' method has become more frequent, we ask that if you find any suspicious items suspected to be drugs in places such as parks, you report them immediately to 112 or the nearest police station. Those who participate in drug trafficking or related crimes will face severe punishment."
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