More Offenders Apprehended, Less Narcotics Seized
Nearly 4,000 drug offenders were apprehended over the past two months during a special crackdown on narcotics conducted by the government.
On December 29, the government announced these findings at the "Narcotics Countermeasures Council" presided over by Yoon Changryeol, Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. The results were based on the nationwide special crackdown on narcotics carried out from October 1 to November 30.
As a result of the crackdown, 3,996 drug offenders were apprehended, with 478 of them being detained. The total amount of narcotics seized reached 103 kilograms. Compared to the same period last year (3,792 offenders), the number of apprehended individuals increased, while the quantity seized (248 kilograms) decreased. The government explained that this was due to a reduction in large-scale supply and distribution of narcotics.
The proportion of offenders involved in supplying drugs also decreased, from 33.6% last year to 28.8% for the period from January to October this year.
Measures to strengthen interagency cooperation on narcotics policy were also discussed. First, the Korea Customs Service and Korea Post will enhance collaboration at the customs clearance stage to block narcotics.
Starting today, the government will launch a pilot project to inspect certain postal items for narcotics in the Seoul metropolitan area. In the first half of next year, this initiative will be expanded to major cities nationwide. The government also plans to swiftly provide the necessary budget and personnel, including the use of reserve funds.
Post-crackdown management will also be strengthened. The Ministry of Justice will double the number of participants in its rehabilitation program, "Recovery Connection Course," and will expand the "Addiction Rehabilitation Housing" system, which manages individuals from admission to social reintegration, by the second half of next year.
In addition, the National Police Agency and Korea Customs Service will encourage research and development of "Electronic Nose" (olfactory information measuring devices) to enhance crackdown capabilities using advanced technology.
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