SMUGGLING OF NARCOTICS RISES

Incessant Efforts Needed For Effective Crackdown

We are alarmed at the news that the volume of narcotics being
smuggled into this country is increasing lately.

According to the concerned authorities, the recent rise in drug
smuggling derives from the fact that Korea is being used as a
stopover for international narcotic trafficking. However, it may also
be true that some of the smuggled drugs could find end-users among
the people here, although the situation concerning illegal drug use,
trafficking or manufacturing may not be as significant compared to
that of other countries. But, this is no reason for complacency _
this year alone, the prosecution arrested 88 people for drug-related
crimes and confiscated 3.5 kg of methamphetamine, also called
philopon, and 1.77 kg of canabis.

The number of drug-related criminals here is still meager compared to
that of the United States or other countries, however, it is too
risky to consider Korea as being clean as far as narcotic use or
trafficking is concerned.

The methods for smuggling drugs into this country are becoming
sophisticated and the explosive rise in the number of foreign and
local tourists makes it extremely difficult to check the influx of
drugs. Another worrisome fact is that people here tend to overlook
the seriousness of drug-related crimes because the discoveries and
confiscations of narcotics are not regular occurrences. But, the
matter deserves the utmost attention from the people owing to the
fact that the problem of drug abuse, if left unchecked, could
threaten society s very existence.

As seen in foreign countries, the most heinous crimes are very often
associated with drug use. No one feels secure in a society where the
use of narcotics is rampant.

The seriousness of the situation lies in the fact that the known
cases of drug trafficking are only the tip of the iceberg. The actual
number of drug abusers and the amount of narcotics being circulated
here are far higher than we can imagine.

Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that the number of foreigners
being arrested in connection with drug-related criminal activities
here is increasing in recent years.

Lack of tight surveillance at our major airports and harbors is
pointed out as a major reason for the recent increase in the
smuggling of drugs into this country.

The number of internet-sites aimed at drug trafficking is also
increasing. About 100 internet-sites found trafficking narcotics have
been forcibly closed this year, according to police.

Drug abuse is said to be widespread in unsettled periods such as
the aftermath of a war or economic difficulties.

The concerned authorities are in need of equipping themselves with
up-to-date monitoring facilities for the watertight prevention of the
illegal influx of narcotics into the country and must heighten their alertness.

Countermeasures to check trafficking through cyber space must also be made.