The Customs Agency has seized 2.1 tons of drugs in a joint operation with customs authorities from 19 Asia-Pacific countries.
On July 31, the agency reported that it detected a total of 785 cases and 2,100 kilograms of drugs during the third joint anti-drug smuggling operation, dubbed 'Pacific Shield,' which took place from May 1 to June 30. The seizures included 633.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, 368.8 kilograms of cannabis, and 757.4 kilograms of new psychoactive substances.
This operation was co-hosted by the Korean Customs Agency and the Asia-Pacific Regional Information Center of the World Customs Organization, with participation from countries including South Korea, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The Customs Agency operated control centers in seven locations to facilitate real-time information sharing and in-depth analysis.
The operation focused on enhancing border control capabilities against drug smuggling, sharing intelligence on drug trafficking in real-time, and strengthening targeting and inspections through expanded analysis of received information. The strategy aimed to block drug movement between countries in the Asia-Pacific region through international cooperation.
This year's results surpassed those of the previous two joint operations combined. In the first operation in 2024, 61 cases and 131.8 kilograms were seized, while the second operation last year resulted in 235 cases and 663 kilograms. The third operation this year saw a significant increase, with the number of cases rising approximately 3.3 times compared to last year.
New psychoactive substances accounted for the largest share of the seizures, followed by methamphetamine and cannabis. The Customs Agency noted that the distribution patterns of drugs in the Asia-Pacific region are diversifying due to the rapid spread of new types of synthetic drugs. In the third operation, 757.4 kilograms of new psychoactive substances, 633.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, 368.8 kilograms of cannabis, 74.6 kilograms of heroin, and 57.1 kilograms of cocaine were seized.
To prevent the influx of drugs, the Customs Agency is expanding joint operations with customs authorities in major drug-producing countries. It is also strengthening cooperation with international organizations such as the World Customs Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and Interpol.
In response to the recent surge in ketamine smuggling from Europe, the agency plans to establish a cooperative framework with key European countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. A dedicated drug information organization will be created to adapt to changing smuggling routes and methods.
Lee Jong-wook, head of the Customs Agency, stated, "Since nearly all drugs distributed and consumed domestically are imported from abroad, blocking the cross-border movement of drugs is essential to combat domestic drug crime. International cooperation is crucial for this effort. We will concentrate all our capabilities to ensure that drugs do not cross our borders through close collaboration with multiple countries."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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