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Ketamine disguised as tea washes ashore on Jeju Island
Since September, residents of South Korea's Jeju Island have repeatedly discovered foil-wrapped packages labeled with Chinese tea characters along their shores-only to find they contained ketamine, an illegal recreational drug. Police report at least eight incidents, totaling 28 kg (62 lbs) of the substance, which is medically used as an anesthetic but poses severe health risks when misused.
Largest haul found in October
The most significant seizure occurred on 15 October, when a beach cleaner uncovered 20 kg of the so-called "tea bag drugs" near Seogwipo, a city on Jeju's southern coast. Authorities have since intensified search efforts, deploying over 800 soldiers, police officers, and volunteers to scour northern beaches in Jeju City earlier this week, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.
Investigation points to ocean currents
Officials suspect the ketamine may have drifted to Jeju via ocean currents. The Jeju Coast Guard has assembled a task force to trace potential sea and land routes, while the head of the Coast Guard's narcotics unit noted similar discoveries in Pohang, South Korea, and Japan's Tsushima Island. Residents have been urged to avoid handling suspicious objects and to report findings to police immediately.
Public concern and expert theories
Local residents expressed alarm over the drug's presence. "I often bring my children to this beach," said Kim, a Jeju resident who witnessed the search efforts. "It's terrifying to think they might encounter something like this." Another resident, Hyun, called for stronger measures to prevent further smuggling.
Yoon Heung-hee, a professor of drug and alcohol addiction at Hansung University, suggested a larger criminal syndicate may be involved. He cited the "sea bump" method-where drug bundles with trackers are dropped into the ocean for later retrieval-as a possible tactic. "Criminal groups might be exploiting lax inspections at Jeju's airports and ports to smuggle drugs into South Korea," Prof. Yoon told The Hankyoreh.
Health risks and legal status
Ketamine misuse can cause severe damage to the heart, lungs, and mental health. While it remains a legal anesthetic, its recreational use is prohibited in South Korea. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as investigations unfold.
