Law enforcement in South Korea recently detained over 300 individuals in a major drug bust targeting narcotics trafficking facilitated by cryptocurrency.
The arrests were carried out by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Drug Crime Investigation unit, apprehending suspects for violating the country’s Narcotics Control Act.
According to authorities, those arrested allegedly purchased or sold illicit drugs using foreign messaging apps and crypto payments on the dark web. At least six major traffickers were identified, including one operating an online drug marketplace.
The alleged dealers smuggled in drugs from overseas or sourced them locally for dark web sales, with activity traced from December 2020 to March 2023. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin enabled direct online payments.
Suspects utilized dead drop techniques, leaving drugs in public areas for buyers to anonymously retrieve after paying in crypto. However, some cases did not involve crypto, like an employee fabricating a story to get free cannabis.
South Korean law enforcement has invested heavily in blockchain analytics to uncover crypto-powered drug networks. This major bust underscores the country’s determination to crack down on the problem through both traditional police work and emerging tech tools.
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