SEOUL, July 17 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's seizure of smuggled drugs fell in the first half due to higher drug smuggling in small amounts, customs office data showed Wednesday.
Drugs, seized at borders before being smuggled into the country, amounted to 298 kg in the January-June period, down 10 percent compared to the same period of 2023, according to Korea Customs Service.
The number of drug smuggling cases increased 11 percent to 362 in the six-month period, affected by smaller drug amount involved in each case.
Drugs, smuggled through express cargo, came in at 114 kg, accounting for 38 percent of the total drugs confiscated in the first half.
It was followed by smuggling attempts through international mail with 100 kg and travelers with 56 kg.
By type, methamphetamine took up 52 percent of the total drugs impounded in the first half, trailed by hemp with 10 percent and cocaine with 10 percent each.
By origin, 25 percent of the confiscated drugs came from Thailand, followed by the United States with 20 percent, Mexico with 10 percent and Malaysia with 8 percent. ■