Pubdate: Sun, 03 Feb 2008
Source: Korea Times (South Korea)
Copyright: 2008 Korea Times
Contact:  http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/916
Author: Park Si-Soo

DRUG OFFENDERS EXCEED 10,000 LAST YEAR

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office said Sunday it arrested  a total of
10,649 drug offenders in 2007, up 38 percent  from the previous year's
7,711.

The number of philopon users accounted for the largest  with 8,521, up
42 percent from 2006; followed by  marijuana smokers with 1,170, up 40
percent.

"More than 10,000 drug offenders were seized between  1999 and 2002.
But the figure drastically dropped from  2003 thanks to the stiffer
regulations," a prosecutor  said. "But the number surged last year.
It's time to  take substantial measures to clamp down on use of
illegal drugs."

A growing number of foreigners here are involved in  drug
trafficking.

A total of 299 foreigners were detected last year, more  than double
of 116 reported in 2006.

Expatriates from China and Thailand mostly consumed  philopon, while
those from English speaking countries  including the U.S., Canada and
Australia mainly used  marijuana prosecutors said.

Prosecutors presumed illegal drugs smuggled in were  circulated at
nightclubs in the Hongdae, Itaewon and  Gangnam districts.

"We will team up with East Asian countries to weed out  drug
trafficking and use," the prosecution said.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath