Financial tracking, customs data analysis lead to domestic dealer's arrest; all 15 buyers detained
A Vietnamese national who smuggled liquid narcotics known as "rush" into South Korea and distributed them through social media has been caught by customs authorities.
The Korea Customs Service's Busan headquarters said Wednesday it had referred a 23-year-old Vietnamese man, identified only as A, to prosecutors on charges of smuggling and distributing 20 bottles (515 milliliters) of a liquid substance containing isobutyl nitrite — classified as a Class 1 temporary narcotic and commonly known as "rush" — through social media. A 32-year-old Vietnamese woman, identified as B, who supplied the drug from Vietnam, has been placed on a wanted list.
Investigators found that A and B conspired to smuggle the illegal substance by taking orders from domestic buyers via social media. B received orders from Vietnam, while A, operating as the Korea-based hub, handled payment collection, refunds and domestic delivery updates.
In early May, the pair took orders for 20 bottles of rush from 15 buyers in South Korea and attempted to bring the shipment in as express cargo. To evade customs inspection, they falsely declared the contents as "saline solution" and similar items, investigators said.
The case unraveled when a shipment ordered by C, a Nepali worker living in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, was flagged during an inspection at Incheon Airport customs.
As investigators traced and detained the actual recipients, they detected signs that a professional domestic dealer was operating in the country. After closely analyzing financial flows and customs clearance data, they arrested A, who had been hiding in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, and successfully detained all 15 buyers — mostly foreign nationals scattered across the country.
Rush, also known as "poppers," contains isobutyl nitrite and can cause loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and dizziness when inhaled.
Rush has been classified as a Class 1 temporary narcotic since November last year. In South Korea, its import, export, sale, possession and use are all subject to criminal punishment.
The six rush-related drug offenders arrested by Busan customs this year were mostly foreign workers employed in South Korea. Authorities said cases appear to be increasing in which individuals entering from Southeast Asian countries with looser drug regulations attempt to bring the substance in without realizing it constitutes a serious crime.
"We will continue to trace every link in the supply chain — not just buyers — all the way to overseas suppliers and shut them down," said Yoo Young-ha, head of the Busan headquarters. "We will also actively pursue measures to curb demand for narcotics at the source."
Busan customs has been working with the Korea Human Resources Development Service of Korea's Busan regional office, which oversees workplaces employing foreign workers, to prevent drug smuggling. The two agencies plan to sign a formal MOU in September to step up anti-drug awareness and guidance campaigns at worksites employing foreign nationals.
kwonhl@heraldcorp.com
