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South Korean Authorities launched an international investigation after a 20-kilogram package ketamine It was discovered earlier this month off the coast of its popular tourist island Jeju.
According to the Jeju Coast Guard, a member of the marine cleanup team found a suspicious package on a beach in Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo on October 7 and alerted authorities. korea heraldThe package, which appeared to have floated in from the ocean, contained several brick-sized objects wrapped in foil and clear plastic, each marked with the Chinese character for “tea.”
The material was sent to the National Forensic Service, which confirmed the substance was ketamine – A dissociative anesthetic that is used medically for pain relief but is classified as a narcotic in South Korea due to its hallucinogenic effects when abused.
The drugs were divided into 1 kg packets, enough for an estimated 660,000 individual doses based on a standard single dose of 0.03 grams – roughly equivalent to the population of Jeju Island.
The Coast Guard has formed a special investigation team and is searching the surrounding waters to find out how the drugs entered the country.
It has also requested DNA analysis of evidence collected from the packaging and is coordinating with foreign agencies, including the US Drug Enforcement Administration, to explore possible links to international trafficking networks.
The discovery comes amid growing concerns over the influx of illicit drugs through international routes.
In May, police arrested two foreign nationals – a German and a Polish man in his 20s – for smuggling and distributing 52 kilograms of ketamine and 70,000 ecstasy pills in South Korea, according to reports. korea times,
Authorities said the pair were part of a European syndicate that hid drugs inside decorative ceramics and sent them through international couriers before repackaging them for local distribution.
Maritime police in Jeju continue to monitor the area and believe the latest discovery may be linked to a wider global smuggling operation.