Massive 20 Kg Ketamine Seizure on South Korea's Jeju Island Prompts International Investigation

Representative image.

South Korean officials have initiated an investigation following the discovery of a substantial quantity of ketamine on Jeju Island in early October, according to The Korea Herald.

On October 7, a beach cleanup volunteer at Gwangchigi Beach in Seogwipo came across a suspicious waste bag containing 20 brick-shaped packages wrapped in aluminum foil. The packages were enclosed in clear plastic marked with the Chinese character for "tea" and appeared to have washed ashore from the ocean.

The seized ketamine weighed approximately 20 kilograms, which equates to roughly 660,000 individual doses with an estimated street value of 6 billion won (approximately $4.2 million).

The Jeju Coast Guard has established a specialized task force to determine the origin and entry route of these illicit substances. They are working in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to investigate potential connections to international drug trafficking networks.

This significant seizure underscores growing concerns regarding drug smuggling operations and emphasizes the necessity for increased coastal surveillance and international cooperation in combating illegal drug trade.

Ketamine is a medication with various legitimate medical applications. It serves as a general anesthetic to induce unconsciousness and prevent pain during surgical procedures. The drug is also utilized in treating chronic pain, particularly neuropathic pain, often in combination with other medications. Its value in emergency medicine, trauma cases, and for patients with respiratory difficulties is well-established.

However, ketamine is also misused recreationally for its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects, which can result in dependency and addiction.