Word has just been released of a raid on two U.S. Army bases in South Korea which happened back in May. South Korean police arrested “a South Korean and a Filipino” then “questioned more than a dozen American soldiers.” The Americans are suspected of “smuggling and distributing synthetic cannabis.” By “synthetic” they don’t seem to be referring to “spice.” Something got lost in translation but what was being trafficked apparently involved THC vape cartridges. They suffer from heavy reefer madness but it’s their country.
Army bases raided
On Wednesday, September 20, the Pyeongtaek Police Department put out a news release detailing how the U.S. Army became involved in their investigation. While the local police “carried out search and seizure operations,” they didn’t hold anyone in custody.
They started with Camp Humphreys, south of Seoul, which is described as “the largest U.S. military installation outside of the United States.” They also hit “Camp Casey north of the capital.”
The South Korean police didn’t simply show up unannounced before dawn with a warrant, they had been invited. The entire investigation began with a tip from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division.
US soldiers can break the law as many times as they want in that country and never in any instance is their presence ever called into question by the population. They are literally above the law.https://t.co/97IOaZYLsO
— Peter Dukes (@ChinaCounter) September 21, 2023
The police made sure to heavily document their raids with video. Clips show “officers entering residential buildings and putting handcuffs on several individuals, both men and women.” They didn’t play around.
The South Korean and Filipino were arrested and charged with “alleged drug distribution.” They were briefly taken into custody for processing then “transferred to the prosecution for indictment.”
Another 20 people, “including 17 U.S. soldiers” were rounded up for questioning “but not detained.” Their files were handed over to the prosecutors but the Army remains responsible for them.
Cannabis seriously illegal
In South Korea, “recreational use of cannabis is illegal.” Really illegal. Drugs of all sorts are “a social and cultural taboo.” Simple possession carries heavy consequences.
“The maximum sentence for cannabis use or possession in the country is five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million Korean won (about $37,600).” Just because the Americans were in the army didn’t make them immune from the local laws.
According to the late release press statement, police allege that “between May and August this year, a 24-year-old American soldier had smuggled 350 milliliters [11.8 oz] of liquid synthetic cannabis sent from the U.S. mainland via military mail, then distributed and sold it to other U.S. soldiers based at Camp Humphries and Camp Casey.”
JUST IN : South Korean police raid US military bases in drugs probe after receiving tip from US army’s criminal investigation department #SouthKorea #USA pic.twitter.com/VHHmnvEWpt
— Adapted (@adapteddotsite) September 21, 2023
The army frowns on that. “The soldier, who is among those questioned, sold the drug to a Filipino distributor, who then sold it to a South Korean distributor and other U.S. soldiers.” That’s what got the South Koreans really upset. The Filipino is really in for it. His country calls for the death penalty.
When South Korean police came crashing through the Army bases with snarling German shepherds they shook loose “80 milliliters of synthetic cannabis, 27 electronic cigarette devices and nearly $13,000 in cash allegedly earned from drug sales.”
They couldn’t wait to release videos of “the seized items, with rolls of $50 and $100 bills, as well as numerous cell phones and colorful cylindrical tubes that look similar to vape pens.” They look similar because they are vape pens. South Korean police were sure to explain that they “are cooperating with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division to investigate the U.S. soldiers, as well as the alleged drug sender in the U.S. and the smuggling route.“