Online overseas buys of illegal drugs becoming a big headache for Korea

The ease of online direct purchases has given rise to an increase in illegal drug smuggling in South Korea. According to the Korea Customs Service, the value of illegal drugs it seized among online transactions in the first half of 2014 reached 48.6 billion won ($47.5 million). This is 24 times the total for 2013. Earlier this year, 15 illegal drug-sellers and 77 of their customers were apprehended by police. According to the National Police Agency, the sellers ran websites where customers could buy Stilnox, Zopiclone, and Xanax without a prescription. They were based in Canada and Thailand.