A foreign national in their 30s has been arrested for attempting to smuggle methamphetamine and ecstasy into the U.S. through international mail. The suspect is currently in custody awaiting trial.
On Wednesday, the Busan District Prosecutor’s Office announced that they had indicted an Indonesian national, identified only as Mr. A, on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (drug offenses) on September 15.
Mr. A is accused of smuggling approximately 68 grams (about 2.4 oz) of methamphetamine and 10 ecstasy pills into the country using international mail from Indonesia. The estimated street value of the drugs is approximately 28.4 million KRW (about 21,000 USD).
While the package initially cleared airport inspection, it was intercepted during a secondary screening at the Busan Postal Center on August 26.
This inspection was part of the Drug Inspection Secondary Blockade system, implemented by the Customs Service and the Korean Postal Service at five postal centers nationwide since April.
The system conducts additional inspections on international mail that passes initial airport screenings, aiming to intercept hidden drugs before they enter domestic circulation.
The Busan District Prosecutor’s Office, in collaboration with Busan Customs, apprehended Mr. A just two days later as he attempted to receive the package.
Prosecutors highlighted this case as an example of drugs passing airport screenings but being detected at a domestic logistics hub, underscoring the effectiveness of the Customs Service’s dual blockade system and the cooperation between prosecution, Customs, and the Postal Service in preventing drug smuggling.
A prosecutor stated that it plans to continue our investigation into overseas suppliers and other involved parties through international criminal justice cooperation in conjunction with the Customs Service.