South Korean authorities are currently conducting an investigation involving 17 U.S. soldiers and five others, including a Filipino and a South Korean, who are suspected of smuggling or using synthetic marijuana through military mail, BBC reports.
The investigation stems from raids conducted on at least two U.S. Army bases in May, including Camp Humphreys, one of the largest overseas bases for the U.S. military. The cases of all 22 suspects are under review by prosecutors. A tip from the U.S. Army's enforcement arm initiated a four-month investigation by Korean authorities, one of the largest involving American soldiers in recent years.
Joint raids conducted by South Korean police and the U.S. Army's Criminal Investigation Division uncovered 77 grams of synthetic cannabis, over 4 kg of vaping liquids, and $12,850 in cash at the suspects' residences. The individuals are accused of smuggling synthetic marijuana, known as K2 or Spice, into South Korea through the US military's postal service. Seven of them, including five soldiers, are suspected of drug distribution, while 12 were identified as users, and three acted as intermediaries. Additionally, the police disclosed that a soldier's spouse and another soldier's fiancée were implicated in the case.
The 17 soldiers are currently stationed at Camp Humphreys and Camp Casey, both located near Seoul. Allegedly, they distributed the drugs within the bases using Snapchat for communication. The United States Forces Korea acknowledged the investigation and stated that no soldiers are currently detained or in confinement related to the case.
Synthetic marijuana is designed to mimic the effects of THC, the primary psychoactive component of marijuana. It is often more potent than natural cannabis and has been associated with adverse health effects, including acute psychotic episodes, paranoid delusions, and severe agitation. Detection is challenging as it is frequently used in liquid form in legal e-cigarette devices. In South Korea, trafficking marijuana carries a penalty ranging from five years to life in prison, while drug possession can result in a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a fine of approximately KRW 50mn ($37,200).
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