Foreign recipients who tried to bring the synthetic drug "yaba," worth 2.2 billion won at street value, into Korea by international mail have been indicted after a joint investigation by prosecutors and customs. Prosecutors also confirmed signs that they had previously brought in yaba once more using the same method.
The Incheon District Prosecutors' Office's Violent Crime Investigation Department (Director General Seong Du-gyeong) said on the 9th that it indicted and detained three people, including a Malaysian national, A, and a Thai national, B, on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes related to psychotropic drugs. They are accused of attempting to bring 44,000 yaba pills into the country through international mail sent from Vietnam on Sept. 30 last year.
Yaba is a synthetic drug made by mixing methamphetamine and caffeine and is mainly distributed across Southeast Asia. The investigation found that they tried to receive the drug-containing parcel at a vinyl greenhouse in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province.
The case came to light when the Incheon Airport Main Customs detected yaba during a postal inspection. After being notified by customs, prosecutors immediately obtained a search and seizure warrant and seized the entire shipment the next day. At the scene, A was urgently arrested, and two accomplices who fled on a motorcycle were later caught after a stakeout.
Prosecutors additionally confirmed that in June last year they had brought in 3,910 yaba pills, worth 200 million won at street value, using the same method, and indicted them together for that as well. They also identified the ringleader, a Thai national who directed the crime, requested an Interpol Red Notice, and are continuing cooperation with the Thai Office of the Narcotics Control Board.
Prosecutors say drug smuggling crimes involving foreigners have been on the rise recently. Among drug smuggling offenders detained by the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, the share of foreigners rose from 23% in 2024 to 42% in 2025. Prosecutors said they will continue to respond firmly to drug smuggling crimes based on cooperation with related agencies.