The Incheon Airport Main Customs of the Korea Customs Service said on the 8th that it sent without detention to prosecutors a freelance writer, A, 34, who smuggled in marijuana, marijuana gummies, and cannabis seeds from Thailand.
Incheon Airport Customs caught A on an attempt to pass through the arrivals hall without a customs declaration when entering on a flight from Chiang Mai, Thailand, on the 8th. The Korea Customs Service conducts detailed inspections when it deems there is a risk, such as frequent travel to certain countries or very short trips, and A fell under that category.
A detailed search found 138 grams (g) of marijuana, marijuana gummies, and cannabis seeds sealed in a zip bag in A's carry-on bag. Incheon Airport Customs immediately arrested A at the scene.
Seeing that A had smuggled cannabis seeds, Incheon Airport Customs judged there was a possibility of growing marijuana directly in Korea and also executed a search and seizure at A's home in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province. During the home search, marijuana under cultivation was found inside an aluminum tent installed in a room, along with marijuana cultivation equipment such as LED lights and a ventilator.
A has a prior record of punishment for the same type of crime while working as a freelance writer and was said to have continually smoked marijuana for creative work. A was also said to have felt burdened by the expense of buying marijuana and therefore visited Thailand, where marijuana is legal, to smuggle cannabis seeds and grow marijuana at home, and additionally smuggled seeds to expand the scale of cultivation.
The Korea Customs Service said, "If we detect illegal activity, we will launch a joint investigation with police and will continue sustained and strong crackdowns on drug crimes."