[News Inside ④] Telegram Orders, Virtual Asset Payments... Foreign Traffickers Difficult to Track

Precarious National Security: The Drug Defense Line
Difficulties in Joint Operations with Local Police
Undercover Investigations Not Allowed in Drug Crimes
Divided Investigative System between Prosecution and Police Hinders Progress

In July of last year, Korean police and Interpol conducted a joint operation in Thailand to apprehend drug traffickers. After arresting domestic accomplices, the police received intelligence that there was a supplier in Thailand and requested a red notice from Interpol. The local Thai police assisted in the operation. This was the 'LIONFISH-MAYAG II' operation. Although the suspect became aware of surveillance and kept moving residences, causing a one-week delay, the authorities ultimately succeeded in making the arrest.

Among investigators, drug investigations are considered the most challenging. There is even a saying among prosecutors that "the real special investigations are drug investigations." As drug distribution channels diversify and the scale increases, some point out that building a drug defense line, including investigations, should be addressed as a matter of national security.

Ever-Changing Drug Organizations, Investigations Progress Slowly

According to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office on May 20, the number of drug offenders last year was 23,022, exceeding 20,000 for the second consecutive year following 27,611 in 2023. Among them, 762 were foreigners, more than double the 370 recorded in 2020. Vietnamese nationals accounted for the largest share at 222 (29.1%), followed by 202 Thais (26.5%), and 187 Chinese (24.5%). An increasing number of foreign drug traffickers are crossing Korean borders and distributing drugs.

Last year, the police established the International Drug Crime Cooperation Division within the National Police Agency’s Drug Organized Crime Investigation Department. This division contacts local police to apprehend drug offenders who have fled overseas and conducts joint operations with major smuggling countries. The prosecution also introduced the 'E-drug Monitoring System' to monitor online drug distribution information in real time. This year, they launched an 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) Dark Web Monitoring System' to begin tracking drug advertisements on the dark web.

However, there is still a long way to go. The drug distribution system, where drugs are ordered via Telegram and picked up using the 'throwing' method, is constantly changing. Drug offenders are also evolving their tactics to evade tracking, such as using virtual asset payments and the continuous emergence of new synthetic drugs. Recently, so-called 'stealth drugs,' which are difficult to detect with conventional tests, have even appeared.

The key to blocking drug distribution lies in identifying and arresting the large-scale suppliers at the very top of the supply chain. This is because as one moves up the distribution organization, it becomes more segmented and difficult to trace. The main culprits, who orchestrate the crimes and reap most of the profits, are usually overseas. In August of last year, the police apprehended a drug distribution organization at an entertainment establishment in Suwon and Incheon, but failed to arrest the ringleader in Vietnam. A narcotics investigator at a local station said, "In many foreign countries, there are no CCTVs like in Korea, and it is difficult to expect cooperation from agencies or help from acquaintances or family members, making it hard to find contact points with suspects." He added, "There are even countries where cooperation with Interpol does not work well."

There are also institutional limitations to investigations. Sometimes, as depicted in movies, undercover investigations are necessary in drug cases. However, there are legal constraints. Undercover investigations are currently only permitted in cases of digital sex crimes against children and adolescents. Although bills have been proposed to allow anonymous and undercover investigations in drug crimes as well, they have not passed the National Assembly. A police official stated, "To respond to online drug distribution and other issues, it is necessary to introduce various investigative techniques, including undercover investigations."

"Why Is Prosecutorial-Police Investigative Authority Adjustment Needed for Drug Security?"

The adjustment of investigative authority between the prosecution and police is also hindering drug investigations. Since the adjustment in 2021, the police have been responsible for primary investigations in principle, and the prosecution could only intervene in drug smuggling cases involving more than 5 million won. Although a revision in September 2022 expanded the scope of direct investigations by prosecutors, they still cannot directly investigate drug use in clubs and entertainment bars.

Police are arresting drug offenders locally through joint investigations with the Thai police.

This year, the police had about 380 personnel dedicated to drug investigations, with a budget of 5.2 billion won. The Coast Guard, which must detect drugs flooding in across the sea, such as the '2 tons of cocaine' that entered through Okgye Port in Gangneung, had 86 personnel and a budget of 1.35 billion won. Under these circumstances, there are bound to be significant gaps in the drug defense line that is vital for national security.

Kim Heejun, a lawyer and former drug investigation prosecutor, said, "A control tower like a Drug Administration is needed to comprehensively address drug issues," adding, "Prosecutors specializing in drug investigations enter the field with expertise, but due to the adjustment of investigative authority, their scope and powers have been fragmented, making it impossible to fully utilize their abilities."