South Korean Customs Attributes 769kg Drug Smuggling Case to Cryptocurrency
South Korean customs officials have attributed an 18% increase in drug smuggling to the proliferation of cryptocurrency.
South Korean Customs Officials:
Cryptocurrency Facilitating Drug Purchases
According to News Gyeongnam, the Korea Customs Service reported an increase in instances of small-scale drug smuggling.
Data gathered by the offices of lawmaker Jeon Yong-gi, who serves on the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, reveals that law enforcement agencies confiscated $45.6 million in narcotics last year.
Drugs Discovered in International Mail
Jeon's office conducted an analysis of data from the Korea Customs Service and the Incheon International Airport Corporation.
The analysis revealed that authorities intercepted 327 kg of narcotics that traffickers attempted to send through international mail services last year.
Additionally, 275 kg of drugs were concealed within express cargo containers, and another 148 kg were seized from air travelers arriving in the country.
Authorities reported the confiscation of 438 kg of methamphetamines, along with smaller quantities of ketamine, marijuana, and cocaine.
It seems that the "epidemic" is far from being resolved. Data indicates that customs officials seized a total of 377 kg of drugs from January to July 2024.
The media outlet noted that this figure represents "approximately 49% of the total seized during the previous year."
