Drugs Worth IDR 69 Billion Found In Garbage Bags On Jeju Island

Coastal illustration on Jeju Island. (Wikimedia Commons/Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Korean Culture and Information Service/Korea.net/Jeon Han)

JAKARTA - South Korean maritime authorities are investigating the discovery of large amounts of illegal drugs on the beach near Seongsan Ilchulbong, the peak of the UNESCO-listed volcano on Jeju Island.

According to the Jeju Coast Guard, a volunteer dedicated to protecting the marine environment found a suspicious object on October 7 while cleaning up Gwangchigi Beach in Seogwipo.

The volunteer reported finding trash bags containing various kinds of packages. Inside there are 20 packages in the form of bricks, each wrapped tightly in aluminum foils and clear plastic, with the inscription "teh" Mandarin characters on the outside, reported The Korea Times October 15.

After finding the packages, the authorities sent them to the National Forensic Agency for analysis.

The test results reveal the bricks contain contaminants, synthetic drugs known for their physicinogenous effects, and are classified in South Korea as developing narcotics.

The total weight of the seized drugs reached 20 kilograms. The police estimate the selling value in the market is around 6 billion won (Rp 69,952,200,000), making it one of the largest drug discoveries in recent years.

Officials have formed a special task force to investigate the origin and entry routes of the drugs, by combing land and oceans to look for clues.

Investigators are examining coastal waters near the area where drugs were found and analyzing evidence found from these packages.

Polisi berencana meminta tes DNA dari para ahliforensi dan bekerja sama dengan Badan Penegakan Narkoba AS (DEA) untuk melacak kemungkinan hubungan dengan jaringan narkoba internasional.