Crypto-powered Drug Trafficking Spirals Nationwide in South Korea

Seoul, South Korea – The Supreme Prosecutor’s Office’s Narcotics and Organized Crime Department has released its latest Drug Crime White Paper, revealing a concerning trend: crypto-powered drug trafficking is on the rise nationwide. Let’s delve into the details.

A Disturbing Surge in Drug Offenses

In the past 12 months, South Korean police arrested a staggering 27,611 individuals for drug-related offenses—an alarming 50.1% increase from 2022. The driving force behind this surge lies in the changing patterns of drug trafficking. Traditionally, drugs were sold in person, but traffickers have now shifted to “non-face-to-face transactions.” These transactions often involve “anonymity-protecting solutions,” including cryptocurrencies and secure chat apps. Telegram, in particular, has become the preferred platform for these illicit activities. Dealers frequently demand payment in tokens like Bitcoin (BTC), marking a significant shift from previous years.

Worrisome Trends: Non-Koreans, Women, and Teens Involved

The white paper highlights several other concerning trends:

• Non-Koreans: Foreign nationals account for a significant portion of drug-related arrests, with 3,151 individuals arrested in the same period.
• Women: Approximately 32% of those arrested are female.
• Teen Involvement: The number of drug offenders aged 19 or younger has skyrocketed from 239 in 2019 to 1,477 last year. Teens now constitute 5.3% of all drug offenders.

South Korea’s Uphill Battle Against Crypto-powered Drug Crime

South Korean authorities have been grappling with crypto-powered drug trafficking since 2018. Recent data reveals a surge in arrests, reflecting their ongoing efforts to combat this menace. The nation’s strict anti-drug policies have historically been successful, but the rise in crypto-fueled transactions poses new challenges. As the battle continues, authorities remain vigilant in their fight against drug-related crime.