Customs Officials Cleared in 'Drug Investigation Pressure Allegations'... Baek Haeryong Applies for Search Warrants at Six Locations Including Prosecution and Customs (Comprehensive)

After the joint investigation team of prosecutors and police at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office cleared customs officials and others of allegations related to the 'Customs Drug Investigation Pressure Allegations,' Detective Baek Haeryong responded by applying for search and seizure warrants for six locations, including the prosecution and customs offices.

Detective Baek Haeryong stands in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to express his position on the launch of the joint investigation team regarding the 'Customs Drug Investigation Pressure Allegation.' Photo by Yonhap News

On December 9, Detective Baek stated, "Since case records always leave traces like fingerprints, I have applied for search and seizure warrants for three customs offices-Incheon Airport Customs, Gimhae Customs, and Seoul Main Customs-as well as three prosecution offices-Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office."

He further emphasized, "There is an abundance of circumstantial evidence indicating that customs officials were involved in the smuggling of methamphetamine by a Malaysian drug organization, and this can be sufficiently confirmed in the prosecution's case records. The records also reveal multiple instances where the prosecution recognized customs involvement in the drug smuggling operation, covered up the case, and even aided the smuggling."

On the same day, the joint investigation team at the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office announced interim investigation results, stating, "We have determined that customs officials did not assist in the drug smuggling crime and have cleared them of charges. Regarding the allegations of external pressure, we also found no illegal acts by relevant personnel from the National Police Agency or Korea Customs Service, resulting in a decision of no charges."

The 'Customs Drug Investigation Pressure Allegations' refer to suspicions that, in January 2023 during the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, after police obtained testimony implicating Incheon Customs officials in methamphetamine smuggling, senior officials from the Presidential Office, police, and Korea Customs Service exerted external pressure to cover up the case.