Seasoning containing narcotic ingredients was distributed on a secondhand platform, and police blocked the transaction.
Seoul Mapo Police Station said on the 4th that, in cooperation with Karrot, it blocked transactions of Trader Joe's "Everything but the Bagel Sesame" seasoning. The product, a tasty topping sprinkled on bagels and other breads, spread by word of mouth mainly on social media (SNS) and was traded on the secondhand market for 4,000–8,000 won per bottle.
The problem is that this product contains poppy seeds. A National Forensic Service appraisal detected the narcotics morphine and codeine.
Police asked for Karrot's cooperation to prevent posts related to the product from being displayed. They also took measures so that when someone registers the product for sale, a "transaction restriction notice" appears.
Police booked the seller of the product on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Act and is under investigation. A police official said, "Even if a product is sold as a general food overseas, there are cases where its import and distribution are prohibited under domestic law," and noted, "You must check the relevant regulations before selling or purchasing overseas foods in Korea."