Customs service sets up unit to block inflow of designer drugs such as synthetic marijuana


The Korea Customs Service said Monday it launched a campaign against the trafficking of new types of narcotics, such as synthetic marijuana, a day ahead of the U.N.-designated International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Increasing volumes of the so-called “designer drugs,” including synthetic marijuana and synthetic cathinones, are being smuggled into Korea.

Designer drugs are created to evade the provisions of existing drug laws by modifying the chemical structure of existing drugs.

The amount of synthetic marijuana confiscated by customs authorities increased from 30 grams in 2009 to 605 grams in 2010, and jumped to 3,059 grams last year and 6,887 grams in the first five months of this year.

Of the 6.9 kilograms confiscated through May this year, 5.4 kilograms were smuggled by U.S. soldiers in Korea. The U.S. FBI National Gang Intelligence Center said in a report earlier that gangs within the U.S. Forces in Korea such as the “Korea Dragon Family” were involved in drug trafficking.

Smuggling of synthetic cathinones such as MDPV (Methylenedioxypyrovalerone), also known as “bath salts,” has been increasing as well since late last year, according to the KCS.

The KCS said it will focus on blocking the supply of these new types of drugs from abroad at airport and seaport customs through stronger cooperation with the prosecution, police, the National Intelligence Service, foreign customs and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

A special unit to crack down on these new types of drugs has been set up under direct supervision of the KCS commissioner.

The KCS plans to fully mobilize its resources including sniffer dogs for special inspections on special cargo and mail from countries such as the U.S. and Hungary, where most of these new drugs are consigned.

The World Customs Organization’s Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia and the Pacific, which opened in Seoul earlier this year, will push for an international project to crack down on new types of narcotics by sharing information among the 30 member countries.

Having set this week as anti-drugs week, the KCS exhibited the new drugs and tools used to hide them at airports and seaports on Monday, and plans to hold meetings with related agencies for cooperation in investigations later this week.

By Kim So-hyun (sophie@heraldcorp.com)