Pubdate: Tue, 14 Jul 2009
Source: Korea Times (South Korea)
Copyright: 2009 Korea Times
Contact:  http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/916
Author: Park Si-Soo, Staff Reporter 

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. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr