Posted on 09/21/2023 5:27:33 AM PDT by lowbridge
South Korean police are investigating 17 US soldiers and five other people who allegedly smuggled or used synthetic marijuana via military mail.
This follows raids in at least two US army bases in May, including Camp Humphreys, its largest overseas base.
A Filipino and a South Korean have been arrested, while prosecutors review the cases against all 22 suspects.
A tip from the US Army's enforcement arm had sparked a four-month investigation by Korean authorities.
It was one of the largest in recent years involving American soldiers, US media reported citing Cha Min-seok, a senior detective in South Korea.
Joint raids by South Korean police and the US Army's Criminal Investigation Division found 77g (2.7oz) of synthetic cannabis, more than 4kg of "mixed liquids" used for vaping and a total of $12,850 (£10,440) in cash at the 22 suspects' homes.
They are accused of smuggling synthetic marijuana - known by the street names K2 and Spice - into the country through the US military's postal service.
Seven of them, including five soldiers, are thought to have been involved in the sale of the drugs, 12 were users and three acted as middlemen. A soldier's spouse and another soldier's fiancée are also involved, the police told the BBC.
The 17 soldiers are currently stationed at Camp Humphreys, about 48km (30 miles) south of the capital Seoul, and at Camp Casey, an army outpost about 40km north of Seoul, according to the police.
They allegedly distributed the drugs on the bases while communicating via Snapchat.
United States Forces Korea said on Wednesday that it was aware of the investigation. No soldiers are currently in confinement or being detained in relation to it, it said in a statement.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
It’s their country, their rules.
CC
The UCMJ has something to say about this. I’m pretty sure it’s frowned upon.
L
I’m sure they would rather end up in Leavenworth than a Korean prison.
Meanwhile Fentanyl pours across our southern boarder and ends up in our schools. But bust a few privates smoking synthetic weed. Btw - these nasty synthetic crap gets sold in gas stations in some parts of low class neighborhoods. They just keep changing chemicals to get past laws.
And please put “working with the police in countries we force you to go, to put you in jail” in the recruitment literature, ads …. They need help recruiting for the military.
Many years ago on my first ship we had a similar situation where a guy was having stuff mailed to him on the ship and then walking it off the base into the Japanese economy.
Idiot was TAD on base for training and left his foot-locker open. Base security was doing a normal walk thru while he was in class found the open foot-locker and as per procedure inventoried it - finding ammunition, drugs, and many keys.
The keys were to lockers at the rail stations off base. Every time they opened a locker they found more keys, money, drugs, or weapons. Apparently he was bringing in stuff for a Yakuza offshoot.
Japanese took over the prosecution. By the time they finally took him to trial they were still finding more lockers. I’m pretty sure he’s still in the Status of Forces Prison if he’s still alive as his sentence was so long.
Depends on the Status of Forces agreement as to what rules apply....but yes.
It’s time to remove our troops from the Korean Peninsula. South Korea is an industrial, first world nation that is totally capable of defending themselves. Our military welfare to the world must end now. It’s time to defend our own border and homeland.
I’m certain there are some jurisdictional technicalities I’m not privy to.
CC
“ And please put “working with the police in countries we force you to go, to put you in jail” in the recruitment literature, ads..”
When I served this was made crystal clear to us. We were guests in their country and if we broke their laws we’d pay the price one way or the other. If these chuckleheads hadn’t been bringing contraband into the country they’d have had nothing to worry about.
L
US Postal system. Should go straight to the base.
Postal Inspectors do not screw around. I knew one a while back. He’d had his sense of humor surgically removed when he took the job.
L
How far down have we came...
We desperately need to get the demoncrats OUT OF OFFICE..!!
I was there in 65.. At that time, any police matters were taken to the local military authority. I think the "Status of Forces agreement" was signed in the early 70's. (?)
Well, there was one in place with Japan immediately after WWII but it was modified a few times is my understanding.
Wife and I were stationed at Camp Red Cloud, 1988. E6 in another unit arrested by KNP for receiving deer antlers to sell on the Black Market. Lucky for him they proved it was one of the mail clerks.
I agree but again the recruitment issue is getting bigger and too many try to make rank at others expense. Mostly agree with you.
—”I’m sure they would rather end up in Leavenworth than a Korean prison.”
You may want to rethink that position.
Many years back, a FReeper had spent years in Ft Leavenworth as a prisoner.
He answered many questions; not a place you would choose.
Reading around, he may have been holding back on a few of the inconveniences and mind games.
Perhaps they have lightened up since then?
—”Postal Inspectors do not screw around. “
You got that right!
The company I worked for had equipment used in a large post office. Nothing unusual.
At meetings about the equipment, the Postal Inspectors had many questions... I thought they were a bit overboard.
After they explained just the first few issues, I was glad to help and fascinated by how they think about possible postal theft vectors.
The Postal Inspectors are why many criminals are charged with mail fraud. They are like the Mounties.
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