Hundreds of thousands of doses of ketamine, hidden in Chinese tea bags, have washed ashore on South Korea’s popular tourist island of Jeju, sparking an urgent investigation into suspected transnational drug trafficking and raising concerns for the island’s reputation.
Authorities on Jeju are on high alert following the discovery of at least 29 kilograms of the illicit substance. This amount is equivalent to approximately 970,000 individual doses.
The seized drugs carry an estimated street value of over $64.9 million USD, with each kilogram valued at more than $2.2 million USD.
The first discovery occurred on September 29, when beach cleanup volunteers found 20 kilograms of ketamine at Gwangchigi Beach in Seogwipo, a well-known tourist spot.
Since then, officials have recovered ten more packages of similar drugs across various beaches on the island over a 40-day period. Each package weighed one kilogram and was tightly sealed in plastic bags labeled as different types of Chinese tea, such as Oolong.
The exact origin of the drugs remains unclear. Investigators are considering several possibilities, including illegal maritime drug transactions, disposal during police pursuits at sea, or accidental loss during smuggling operations.
Kim Young-beom, head of the drug department at the Jeju Coast Guard, suggested that ocean currents likely carried the packages to Jeju’s northern coast. He noted that similar packages have been found in Pohang, South Korea, and on Japan’s Tsushima Island, indicating a high probability the drugs drifted from overseas.
DNA testing and other forensic analyses are currently underway, but authorities have not yet found any significant clues regarding the source. Domestic and international agencies are coordinating efforts to trace the origin of the narcotics.
Local residents have expressed concern over the situation, particularly the delay in launching a comprehensive search after the initial find. One resident, identified only as Mr. Park, 49, voiced worry that Jeju could become known as a “drug hub,” severely damaging its tourism reputation.
In response, a large-scale joint search operation was conducted last Wednesday, November 12. Over 800 officials, including members of the Coast Guard, local police, marines, the National Intelligence Service, and volunteer beach cleaners, participated.
Drug-sniffing dogs were deployed to northern coastal areas, including Iho-dong. During the search, another kilogram of suspected ketamine, wrapped in a green tea bag, was discovered near rocks on Udo Island.
Kang Gwi-bong, head of the Violent Crime Unit at the Jeju Provincial Police Agency, stated that police are also investigating whether similar ketamine is already circulating within Jeju Island. The investigation aims to prevent these drugs from being distributed or used in other criminal activities.