Drug Smugglers Caught at Mail Centers After Evading Airport Scans

South Korean authorities have successfully intercepted drug smugglers by implementing a "second line of defense" system at mail sorting centers, targeting illicit substances that evade initial airport inspections. The joint investigation headquarters announced the successful operation, highlighting its effectiveness just 20 days after the system's rollout.

The operation led to the arrest of a 21-year-old identified as "A," accused of smuggling approximately 5,137 pills of a new psychoactive drug (2C-B) from the Netherlands and 996.47 grams of ketamine from Canada between April and May. "A" allegedly concealed the drugs within coffee bags. A 30-year-old, identified as "B," was arrested for allegedly collecting 35 liquid cannabis capsules hidden in a cafe restroom in Seoul's Gangnam district, acting on instructions from an overseas drug supplier in May.

This "second line of defense" system allows for additional customs inspections at mail sorting centers for packages that pass the initial screening at airports and ports. The system was piloted at the Dongseoul Mail Sorting Center in December and expanded to four other centers in April. "This secondary search is a first for our country," stated Shin Jun-ho, deputy head of the drug investigation headquarters. "We will closely cooperate with relevant agencies like the Korea Customs Service to advance the first and second line of defense systems and strengthen the drug smuggling interdiction safety net."

“

This secondary search is a first for our country. We will closely cooperate with relevant agencies like the Korea Customs Service to advance the first and second line of defense systems and strengthen the drug smuggling interdiction safety net.