Explosive Drug Scandal Shakes US Troops in South Korea: Inside the Shocking Army Base Raids
South Korean authorities detain two individuals and interrogate numerous US soldiers for allegedly trafficking and dispersing synthetic cannabis, following raids on two American army bases
Two individuals have been apprehended by the South Korean police, who also interrogated over a dozen American soldiers, following raids conducted at two United States army bases. The Pyeongtaek police department announced the May raids in a news release on Wednesday.
Police conducted search and seizure operations at Camp Humphreys, located south of Seoul, which is the largest US military installation overseas, as well as at Camp Casey, north of the capital. This action was prompted by intelligence received from the US Army Criminal Investigation Division. Videos of the raids depict police officers entering residential buildings and apprehending multiple individuals, including both men and women, who were subsequently handcuffed.
Two individuals, one from South Korea and the other from the Philippines, were apprehended on charges of drug distribution. Following their detention, they were subsequently transferred to the prosecution for formal charges, according to law enforcement authorities who spoke to CNN.
Additionally, a group consisting of 20 individuals, which included 17 soldiers from the United States, were summoned for questioning without being detained. They were then handed over to the prosecution for further inquiry, stated the police.
CNN has reached out to the United States Forces Korea for comment.
One police raid took place at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, seen here on June 29, 2018.
Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty Images
In South Korea, recreational use of cannabis is illegal due to its societal and cultural taboo, and offenders can expect severe punishments. Those caught possessing or using cannabis can face up to five years in prison or be fined up to 50 million Korean won (approximately $37,600). As per a police news release, a 24-year-old American soldier is accused of smuggling 350 milliliters (11.8 oz) of liquid synthetic cannabis from the US mainland using military mail. The soldier then allegedly distributed and sold the substance to other US soldiers stationed at Camp Humphries and Camp Casey between May and August of this year.
Seized items included rolls of cash, according to police videos.
The released statement claimed that one of the soldiers questioned had sold the drug to a Filipino distributor, who subsequently passed it on to a South Korean distributor and other US soldiers.
During the raid, law enforcement confiscated 80 milliliters of synthetic cannabis, 27 electronic cigarette devices, and almost $13,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds from drug transactions, according to the statement.
Police-released videos exhibit the seized items, showcasing bundles of $50 and $100 bills, alongside multiple cell phones and vibrant cylindrical tubes resembling vape pens.
The release added that police are cooperating with the US Army Criminal Investigation Division to investigate the US soldiers, as well as the alleged drug sender in the US and the smuggling route.
