▲ Drugs buried in a hillside
A group that smuggled a large quantity of drugs from Vietnam via international express mail, buried them in hillsides in the Seoul metropolitan area, and distributed them domestically has been apprehended by police.
The Narcotics Investigation Unit of the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency has arrested nine individuals, including a 40-year-old identified as "A" who managed the drug distribution ring, on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. Five others, including couriers, were booked without detention and referred to the prosecution.
"A" and the others are accused of smuggling 20 kilograms of drugs, including synthetic liquid cannabis, into the country through Incheon International Airport between February and April, and distributing a portion of them domestically.
Investigations revealed that the group buried the smuggled drugs in two hillsides in the Seoul metropolitan area and intended to sell them by having couriers retrieve and transport small amounts at a time.
Police first apprehended the couriers by posing as drug buyers on Telegram.
Following this, they tracked down the higher-ups in the organization and arrested the entire group.
During the arrest process, police seized 13 kilograms of drugs that were either buried in the hillsides or in the possession of the couriers, preventing further distribution.
The seized drugs have a street value of approximately 1.325 billion won.
Police have requested an Interpol Red Notice for the ringleader of the drug distribution organization and are continuing their investigation.
A police official stated, "We will track down and strictly respond to any attempts to smuggle or distribute drugs into the country until the end."
▲ Boxes of drugs smuggled via international express mail
(Photo: Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.