No. of drug offenders at all-time high

By Jung Min-ho

The number of drug offenders in Korea reached an all-time high last year, up nearly 20 percent from the previous year, data showed Monday.

According to a report from the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office, a total of 11,916 people were arrested for drug law violations in 2015. The number grew by 19.4 percent from 9,984 in 2014.

A new record is expected to be set this year, as the rate of drug busts continues to increase. According to the report, 6,876 drug offenders were arrested over the first six months of this year, up 33.9 percent from 5,134 during the same period last year.

The internet and smartphones give more people access to illegal drugs, contributing largely to the rising trend, the prosecution said.

“Along with the development of technology, buyers and sellers no longer have to meet on dark street corners to make drug deals. They increasingly make deals online and have the drugs delivered,” the report said.

According to the prosecution, 19.3 percent of all illicit drugs confiscated last year came from international mail and cargo.

While most drug sellers used to be based in China, the sources have become more varied to include Japan, Southeast Asia and Mexico, the report showed.

Also noticeably, an increasing number of minors are geting involved in drug law violations. They accounted for 1.3 percent of all drug offenders arrested last year, up from 0.4 percent in 2012.

In cooperation with police, the prosecution formed a special team in April to crack down on online drug deals. By the end of the year, they plan to adopt a new program that will help them monitor search words related to illegal drugs.

The prosecution also said it will step up cooperation with overseas law enforcement agencies.