Authorities in South Korea have seized dramatically more marijuana smuggled via air routes, with Incheon International Airport recording 1,743 kilograms last year—a staggering 46-fold increase from just 37 kilograms in 2021. Even synthetic drugs like ketamine saw seizures rise threefold, from 9.7 grams to 39 grams over the same period.
Overall Seizures Climb Amid Shift to Smaller Packages
Total domestic marijuana seizure cases jumped 37.1 percent, from 518 in 2021 to 710 last year. Smugglers increasingly favor small parcels shipped via express services, complicating detection efforts. In April last year, officials intercepted a vessel attempting to import about 1.7 tons of cocaine, equivalent to over 56 million doses nationwide at 0.03 grams per use, valued at roughly 8.45 billion won.
Policy Shift Sparks Fears of Investigation Gaps
A customs official highlighted the growing trend: “Marijuana arrives via express shipments even after normalization efforts. The unreported amounts remain substantial.” With certain prosecution authorities set for abolition in October, experts warn of potential voids in drug probes. Even declining customs seizures could exacerbate issues, threatening overall enforcement.
Prosecution’s Special Squad Under Pressure
The prosecution’s special drug investigation unit currently manages imported narcotics, port smuggling, factory emissions, and major dealer probes. It conducts inspections and relays findings to prosecutors for nationwide follow-ups, intelligence gathering, and real-time decisions. Industry leaders note that without this framework, domestic shipments gain a “golden time” for unchecked distribution.
One senior prosecution inspector stated: “If we cannot handle special cases, it becomes the worst scenario.” Public-private partnerships emphasize continuous domestic linkages: “Inspecting overseas shipments requires real-time connections nationwide. Shallow links demand incentives like voluntary surrenders to prompt current inspections.”
Calls for Expanded Authority and Role Clarity
Senior officials stress: “Drug networks heavily rely on input support; dividing duties with prosecutors is essential.” They urge maintaining prosecution oversight amid changing sales dynamics, including joint ventures like airport drug squads. Without it, customs alone cannot cover the load, risking severe economic fallout.
A leading lawmaker warned: “As maritime drug smuggling grows larger and more sophisticated, abolishing prosecutorial authority creates serious gaps in field operations and follow-ups.” Authorities advocate thorough reviews of large-scale trends to bolster site-specific responses.
