CONFISCATED NARCOTICS JUMP

The amount of narcotics confiscated in the first six months of the
year increased 20 percent compared with the same period last year,
the government said Tuesday.

A growing number of large-scale smuggling attempts contributed to the
increase, it said.

According to the Korea Customs Service, a total of 26.6 kilograms of
assorted drugs had been seized during the January-June period, up 24
percent from the same period a year earlier.

The amount for this year is worth around 45.2 billion won ($35
million), up 145 percent from a year ago, and was enough to be
administered to 520,000 people, the office said.

Confiscated methamphetamine and marijuana are estimated at 14.7
kilograms and 11.2 kilograms, respectively. Ecstasy or MDMA followed
with a total of 300 grams confiscated during the first half.

A total of 23 arrests of people smuggling over 100 grams of narcotics
were reported during the period, which accounted for 36 percent of
the total 64 cases.