South Korea arrests 42 Vietnamese on drug charges

South Korea arrested 42 Vietnamese people on charges of possessing, trading, and using drugs at nightclubs and karaoke bars for foreigners.

The Busan Metropolitan Police Department, South Korea, announced on November 8 that the campaign to crack down on drug trafficking and use involving Vietnamese people began with searches of two karaoke bars for foreigners in Busan and Gyeongnam in May and October.

South Korean police discovered drugs hidden in the ceiling (left) and ecstasy being sold and used at karaoke. Photo: Yonhap — South Korean police discovered drugs hidden in the ceiling (left) and ecstasy being sold and used at a karaoke bar. Photo: *Yonhap*

When police raided the karaoke bar, the suspects had locked the doors and hidden drugs in the ceiling and water heater. Authorities arrested 13 Vietnamese people, including the owner and those who were using drugs inside. They said ecstasy and ketamine were sold at the karaoke bar for 80,000-300,000 won ($60-$230).

Police questioned and analyzed data from the suspects’ phones to investigate the origin of the drugs. They then expanded the case, arresting 29 more people, bringing the total number of Vietnamese arrested in the raid to 42.

Among them were five karaoke establishment owners, 28 vendors, and nine users, the Busan Metropolitan Police Department announced. Twelve suspects have been prosecuted by police, and two illegal immigrants have been handed over to immigration authorities to await deportation orders.

Busan police announced that they will continue to crack down on nightclubs and karaoke bars for foreigners in the city.

Duc Trung - Doan Ninh (According to Yonhap, Chosun )

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