Bought Drugs in Gwangju and Sold Them to Islands: "Targeted Vulnerable Law Enforcement"

15, Including Thai Chief Distributor, Arrested; Only 69 Yaba Tablets Seized
Foreign Sailors in Island Regions "Still Distributing Drugs"

It has been revealed that the synthetic drug "Yaba" has been systematically spreading among foreign sailors in island regions. Criminal organizations have been secretly supplying thousands of Yaba tablets, targeting the vulnerable law enforcement in these remote areas, which has caused widespread shock.

On December 2, Wando Maritime Police Station announced that it had arrested and sent to prosecution 15 individuals, including the Thai chief distributor, Mr. A (a man in his 30s), on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act.

Wando Maritime Police Station has arrested and sent to prosecution 15 people, including the Thai chief distributor, on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. Photo by Wando Maritime Police

These individuals worked as sailors in island regions, but during the fishing off-season, they moved to the Gwangju metropolitan area to work as day laborers and purchased Yaba from the chief distributor. After finishing their work, they would return to the islands and resell the drugs to fellow sailors. This has been confirmed through the investigation.

This was a typical case of exploiting limited law enforcement personnel and relatively lax crackdowns in island areas to commit crimes while turning a blind eye to the situation.

The Foreign Affairs Division of Wando Maritime Police received intelligence in February that there were signs of drug proliferation among foreign sailors. They subsequently conducted eight months of stakeouts and tracking investigations. The investigation team conducted a comprehensive analysis of the foreign workers' work patterns, travel routes, and living environments to precisely track the flow of drugs.

After extensive intelligence gathering and undercover investigations, the police sequentially apprehended the main supply lines, including the chief distributor. During the operation, they seized 69 Yaba tablets-enough for 200 adult males to use. The police believe this is only a fraction of the thousands of tablets that have been distributed domestically through the chief distributor.

A police official stated, "We have severed the main supply chain and blocked the re-entry routes leading to the island regions," and added, "Since drugs are still being openly distributed among foreign sailors, active reporting from maritime workers is necessary."

Wando Maritime Police are expanding their investigation to track down the remaining suppliers and distributors who have not yet been apprehended.