More small-scale trafficking situations observed as strict border controls reduce large-scale efforts
This time, South Korean officials are still sifting illegal drugs from Thailand.
According to the Yonhap news agency, the country accounted for 25 % of the 298 kg of cocaine that North Korean access points confiscated during the first quarter of 2024, according to statistics from the Korea Customs Service (KCS). With 20 %, the United States came in second place.
Last month, Thailand was also identified as the country’s main hub for illegal medication traffic.
South Korean authorities noticed a change in trafficking attempts despite a 9 % decrease in the seized drug volume compared to the first six months of 2023.
” We’ve seen an increasing number of small-scale smuggling circumstances, while large-scale efforts have fallen owing to tighter border handles”, a KSC national was quoted as saying.
The news agency said 22 % of drug smuggling attempts were made by air travellers, 53 % through international mail and 24 % via express cargo.