Home > National > Social Affairs

Drug task force charges Korean member of Japanese crime syndicate for smuggling cannabis

Published: 10 Apr. 2026, 20:05 Updated: 12 Apr. 2026, 15:45

One of the packages of cannabis that was intercepted by Korean authorities in Incheon on March 23 [JOINT INVESTIGATION HEADQUARTERS FOR DRUG CRIMES]

A Korean member of a Japanese crime syndicate has been arrested and indicted for smuggling 636 kilograms (1,402 pounds) of cannabis into the country, Korean authorities said Friday, marking the largest known haul for domestic distribution.

The joint government task force on drug crimes said it had indicted the suspect on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act. He is a known member of the Japanese crime group Kudokai.

Korean authorities have also identified four Vietnamese nationals who sold the drugs to the suspect in Thailand and have requested arrest warrants, while planning to request Interpol red notices.

The Korean suspect is accused of loading about the cannabis into a sealed shipping container in early March at the port of Laem Chabang in Thailand and sending it to Korea, where it arrived at Incheon on March 23.

Investigators say he conspired with a drug trafficking organization based in Ho Chi Minh City.

Some of the cannabis was intended for distribution within Korea through Vietnamese networks, while another portion was to be re-exported to yakuza groups in Japan.

To evade detection, the Korean suspect allegedly paid for the drugs using cryptocurrency, according to authorities, who said he also vacuum-sealed the cannabis multiple times to reduce the shipment’s odor and volume.

Authorities are investigating him for possible links to international drug networks, including individuals in Spain and sources in Colombia.

Vacuum-sealed cannabis in packets weighing 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) each that were seized by Korean authorities on March 23 [JOINT INVESTIGATION HEADQUARTERS FOR DRUG CRIMES]

The suspect has a prior conviction from 2016, when he was sentenced to six years in prison for possessing approximately 956 grams of methamphetamine worth 3.1 billion won ($2 million), as well as illegally importing a handgun and 19 rounds of ammunition.

While many recent cases of large-scale maritime drug smuggling involve shipments transiting through Korea en route to third countries such as China, this shipment was intended for domestic distribution, according to authorities.

“Drug prices on the black market in Korea are significantly higher than in Southeast Asia, and non-face-to-face distribution methods such as dead drops make it easier to sell,” a task force official said. “We believe the suspects sought to develop Korea as a new distribution and consumption market.”

Authorities tracked the movement of the vessel and cargo in coordination with the Korea Customs Service after receiving intelligence from the National Intelligence Service in January. The drugs were seized immediately upon arrival at Incheon, preventing circulation.

To curb large-scale maritime drug smuggling, customs authorities plan to expand special inspection teams at major ports nationwide and develop screening criteria based on domestic and international smuggling patterns.

They also aim to strengthen cargo inspections using portable and vehicle-mounted X-ray systems.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY HYEON YE-SEUL [[email protected]]