Cambodian Worker Caught Smuggling and Distributing 'Rush' in South Korea

A foreign worker who smuggled and distributed narcotics in South Korea has been caught by customs authorities.

On October 14, Busan Regional Customs Office announced that it had apprehended and referred to prosecution a 32-year-old Cambodian national, Mr. A, on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act.

A Busan Customs officer is inspecting the actual Rush products smuggled by Mr. A. Provided by Busan Regional Customs Office, Korea Customs Service.

According to Busan Customs, Mr. A is accused of smuggling a liquid substance containing isobutyl nitrite (commonly known as Rush) into the country by using express cargo shipments from Thailand, and then distributing it domestically through social media and other channels.

Isobutyl nitrite is designated as a temporary narcotic substance, and its import, export, sale, possession, and use are all subject to criminal penalties. Inhalation can cause loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, and dizziness.

Mr. A attempted to smuggle 60 bottles (720 ml) of Rush by concealing them in express cargo disguised as sunscreen and cosmetics, bringing them in through Incheon International Airport. However, Incheon Airport Customs detected suspicious shadows during an X-ray inspection and blocked the smuggling attempt.

After taking over the case, Busan Customs analyzed the recipient and delivery information for the express cargo, identified the recipient's residence in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, and arrested Mr. A after conducting a stakeout in the vicinity.

An additional 41 bottles (430 ml) of Rush were found at Mr. A's residence. In particular, Busan Customs discovered through an analysis of Mr. A's express cargo import records that he had consecutively smuggled 40 bottles (660 ml) of Rush in April and 53 bottles (990 ml) in May of this year.

During the forensic examination of Mr. A's mobile phone, evidence was found indicating that the smuggled Rush had been distributed domestically. Based on this, Busan Customs tracked down the buyer and confirmed that the purchaser was working at a Korean restaurant in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. Busan Customs then arrested an additional suspect, Mr. B, a 35-year-old Vietnamese national who was staying in the country illegally.

Mr. B originally entered South Korea in 2012 on a non-professional employment visa, left the country after his employment period expired, and re-entered in December 2022 on a short-term visa. He had been staying in the country illegally until recently. It was revealed that Mr. B contacted Mr. A via a chat app for gay men and purchased 12 bottles (220 ml) of Rush from him.

Busan Customs handed Mr. B, who was staying illegally, over to the Busan Immigration Office for deportation.

A Busan Customs official stated, "Given that Rush is mainly distributed in Southeast Asian countries, we plan to strengthen information analysis and enforcement."