Busan: Police apprehended 90 Vietnamese nationals in a crackdown on drug dealing and use at Vietnamese-run bars and clubs across South Korea during the last quarter of last year, the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency said Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the police agency conducted the crackdown at nine bars and clubs run by Vietnamese nationals in Sejong, Cheonan, Asan, Jincheon, and Daegu for four months from September to December last year. During this operation, 90 individuals, all Vietnamese, were nabbed on charges of distributing or administering drugs.
The agency reported that it placed 18 of these individuals under formal arrest. Among those arrested are seven importers, eight waitresses, and three bar or club owners. Additionally, a total of 66 customers were found to have taken drugs, with 33 of them being deported for illegal stay in the country.
One of the importers faced accusations of smuggling drugs, such as MDMA and ketamine, disguised as coffee or vitamins into the country through international mail. This individual allegedly brought in narcotics worth 1.04 billion won (US$720,000), with 700 million won worth already distributed.
During the crackdown, police seized drugs valued at 300 million won, which included 1.5 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids, 139 ecstasy tablets, and 48 grams of ketamine, the agency stated.