Last year, drug smuggling worth 866 million won was detected by customs.
According to data received from the Korea Customs Service by Park Seong-hoon, a member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party, the number of drug smuggling cases detected last year through travelers or mail was counted at 862.
In particular, at Incheon International Airport, 2 kg of methamphetamine was discovered in auto parts shipped from the United States in July last year. At Daegu Airport, a traveler arriving from Thailand in September last year tried to smuggle 430 grams of marijuana hidden in underwear and shoe insoles before being detected.
In terms of the amount of smuggled goods, methamphetamine was the largest at 48.4 billion won. In second place was cocaine, valued at 24.5 billion won.
New drug smuggling of psychotropic medications and others was detected at 11.3 billion won.
In terms of smuggling routes, international mail accounted for the largest number at 420 cases. Courier cargo smuggling was 235 cases, and air traveler smuggling was 198 cases.
Park noted that the government must focus its capabilities from the border stage to eradicate drug smuggling.