Customs agency reports 11% rise in drug-trafficking attempts

The Korea Customs Agency reported 362 cases of busted drug-smuggling in the first half of the year, but volume fell 9.4 percent.

A drug-sniffing dog takes part in a campaign against drug smuggling at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on June 18. [YONHAP]

The customs agency said Wednesday that the number of attempts to traffic drugs into Korea rose 11 percent on year during the first half of 2024.

The number came to 362 cases, up from 325 cases a year earlier, according to the Korea Customs Service (KCS).

It means that the authorities catch two smuggling cases every day, the KCS said.

But the volume of drugs seized fell 9.4 percent on year to 298 kilograms (657 pounds) during the cited period.

"We've seen an increasing number of small-scale smuggling cases, while large-scale attempts have fallen due to tighter border control," an agency official said. "There also have been more cases where people tried to illegally bring in drugs for their own consumption."

By type, methamphetamine accounted for 52 percent of all the drugs seized, or 154 kilograms, followed by hemp at 10 percent and MDMA, or ecstasy, at 5 percent.

Of the total attempts, 53 percent were carried out through international mail, followed by express cargo at 24 percent and air travelers at 22 percent.

By origin, Thailand topped the list at 25 percent of the total volume, with the United States next at 20 percent.

Drugs from Mexico accounted for 10 percent, or 29 kilograms, followed by Malaysia at 8 percent, Vietnam at 5 percent and Germany at 4 percent.

"Despite strong crackdowns, drug smuggling attempts have still been rising, and the uptrend is feared to continue given high demand," the official said.

"The government will advance the crackdown system and conduct more extensive operations. We will also activate a quick response system in cooperation with partner nations to thwart smuggling attempts."

Yonhap