Seoul Police Arrest 4 for Marijuana Distribution, 13 for Use

Sep.05.2022
Seoul Police Arrest 4 for Marijuana Distribution, 13 for Use
Police in Seoul arrested 4 people for illegal distribution and 13 for purchasing or using marijuana. Nearly 30kg were seized.

On September 4th, the drug crime investigation team of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Department announced that they have registered charges against four individuals involved in the illegal distribution of marijuana, and 13 individuals involved in purchasing or using marijuana, for violations of drug control laws. Two of the individuals, who were involved in serious offenses, have been arrested.


In addition, the police have seized approximately 29.3 kilograms of marijuana, valued at around 2.9 billion Korean won, as well as stockpiles of 691 cannabis plants. This recent seizure constitutes 59.3% of the total marijuana confiscated last year (49.4 kilograms). The suspects have been accused of illegally cultivating, distributing, and purchasing marijuana in the mountainous region of Gyeongbuk from November 2020 to June 2021.


The police have apprehended a group of individuals who stole a portion of marijuana plants and illegally distributed them.


Four individuals utilized a claim of hemp seed collection to cultivate cannabis on a plot of land measuring 3006 square meters, with permission from the local government. The cannabis plants grown had minimal hallucinogenic properties, therefore avoiding regulatory oversight. It has since been revealed that approximately 30 kilograms of cannabis were harvested in secret prior to inspection by administrative authorities.


One kilogram of cannabis was advertised and sold through Twitter and Telegram. To boost sales, they created advertisements for distributing "liquid cannabis pods for e-cigarettes.


The police have also requested that the Food and Drug Administration improve its system, stating a need to supplement supervision regulations following the approval of cannabis cultivation. In fact, according to the Narcotics Control Law and its implementing regulations, local governments only need to receive reports and conduct inspections during the planting and harvesting of cannabis, making it difficult to monitor actual cultivation levels.


A police officer stated, "The buyers in this case were smoking marijuana in the club and confirmed sales, gifts, and management between guests and entertainment staff. We plan to investigate.


Statement: 1. The content of this article is compiled from third-party information and is only meant for industry-related exchange and learning purposes. 2. This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS is unable to confirm the accuracy or truthfulness of the content. The translation of this article is intended solely for industry-related exchange and research. 3. Due to limitations in the translation process, the compiled article may not fully reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy. 4. 2FIRSTS maintains complete alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign-related expressions and positions. 5. The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and authors. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Germany Seizes 56 Pallets of Illegal Vapes, Probe Estimates €1.8 Million Tax Loss
Germany Seizes 56 Pallets of Illegal Vapes, Probe Estimates €1.8 Million Tax Loss
German authorities have seized dozens of pallets of illegal disposable vapes in a criminal investigation, with the products estimated to have caused at least €1.8 million in tax losses. The case has also raised concerns over cross-border supply chains linked to unauthorized nicotine products entering the European market.
Jul.14
Supreme Vape Revenue Rises 15% Despite UK Disposable Vape Ban
Supreme Vape Revenue Rises 15% Despite UK Disposable Vape Ban
UK consumer goods group Supreme said its vaping revenue rose 15% to £148.1 million in the year to March 31, 2026, despite the UK disposable vape ban taking effect during the period, while the company identified the Vaping Products Duty due in October as the next major industry milestone.
Regulations
Jul.03 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Illegal Vape Sellers Still Use TikTok and Other Platforms to Drive Sales Despite Australia’s Ad Ban
Illegal Vape Sellers Still Use TikTok and Other Platforms to Drive Sales Despite Australia’s Ad Ban
Illegal vape sellers are still promoting nicotine products on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube despite Australia’s 2024 advertising ban, while illicit tobacco sales are increasingly moving from physical stores to online marketplaces.
Jul.15
Indonesia’s BNN Pushes Total Vape Ban as Health Ministry Tightens Tobacco Packaging Rules, Putting $40 Billion Industry at Risk
Indonesia’s BNN Pushes Total Vape Ban as Health Ministry Tightens Tobacco Packaging Rules, Putting $40 Billion Industry at Risk
Indonesia is entering a new phase of debate over vape and tobacco regulation. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) has proposed a total vape ban, with some lawmakers supporting stronger restrictions. At the same time, the Health Ministry is advancing tobacco and nicotine regulations under Government Regulation No. 28/2024, including measures such as plain packaging and product controls. Tobacco and vape industries have warned that tighter rules could affect a sector worth around $40 billion, supporting about 6 million jobs and contributing significant tax revenue.
Jul.27
Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
Hunan China Tobacco Industry files heated tobacco device patent featuring adult-user identification through pressure sensing
China-based Hunan China Tobacco Industry Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Baisha Technology Co., Ltd. have filed a patent application covering an adult-user identification mechanism for heated tobacco devices. The patent proposes using flexible pressure sensors installed in the device grip area to collect pressure distribution patterns generated when users hold the device. The system evaluates factors including effective contact area, grip shape and contact duration, and combines roller movement detection to determine whether unlocking conditions are met. The filing reflects exploration of device-level user recognition and smarter interaction technologies for heated tobacco products (HTPs).
Aug.05
Nicotine Pouches Gain Ground in U.S. Convenience Stores as Vape Unit Sales Fall 14%
Nicotine Pouches Gain Ground in U.S. Convenience Stores as Vape Unit Sales Fall 14%
According to convenience retail publication CStore Decisions, U.S. convenience store tobacco categories are undergoing a structural shift. Based on Circana OmniMarket Total U.S. Convenience data for the 52 weeks ending June 14, 2026, cigarettes remained the largest category with $50.8 billion in sales, but unit sales declined 5.3%. Electronic smoking devices and vaping products also declined, while modern oral nicotine products continued to grow, with nicotine pouch sales rising 29% in dollars and 17% in units. Retailers said changing consumer preferences are reshaping tobacco product assortments at convenience stores.
Regulations
Aug.07