Gang smuggled 4.3 tons of banned fruit in travelers' luggage, sold via SNS

A smuggling ring that concealed banned plants — including guava, longan and rambutan — in travelers' luggage and carry-on bags to bring them into South Korea, then sold them through SNS, has been busted. The group illegally imported and distributed about 4.3 tons of the goods over roughly six months.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency announced Wednesday that it had broken up a ring that illegally imported and distributed fresh fruit and vegetables from Vietnam banned under the Plant Protection Act. The agency referred one Vietnamese national and one naturalized Korean of Vietnamese origin — identified as the ringleaders of the domestic distribution operation — to prosecutors.

An investigation by the agency's special judicial police found that the group divided responsibilities among importers, wholesalers and retailers to bring the banned goods into the country and sell them.

The importer, identified as "A," recruited so-called "porters" — travelers flying from Vietnam to South Korea — and instructed them to pack the banned goods into their travel bags and carry-on luggage to bring them through customs.

A wholesaler, identified as "B," received the goods and recruited retailers, including one identified as "C," to handle domestic sales. The group shared photos, prices and other product information through SNS group chats, and the retailers posted the items on their own SNS accounts to sell directly to consumers, receiving commissions from B.

The agency first detected signs of banned plants being sold repeatedly during routine online monitoring of agricultural product sales. Investigators then traced the full distribution chain — from illegal import to domestic sale — through mobile phone digital forensics and bank account analysis.

The probe found that from December 2024 through May 2025, the group illegally imported and distributed about 4,300 kilograms of goods over roughly six months. The haul included fresh fruit such as guava, longan and rambutan, as well as fruit vegetables including fresh chili peppers.

The agency confirmed that wholesaler B and retailer C were involved not only in domestic distribution but also directly in importing the goods, and referred both to prosecutors with a recommendation for indictment. A separate investigation into importer A is ongoing. The agency also plans to expand its probe, as it suspects additional cases of illegal imports using travelers as couriers.

Under the current Plant Protection Act, importing banned goods or making a false declaration — or no declaration at all — for items subject to plant quarantine carries a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won ($21,800).

The scope of punishment will expand starting Dec. 17, when an amended version of the act takes effect. Under the revision, anyone involved in the domestic distribution of illegally imported banned goods — including those who transfer, transport or store them — will also be subject to criminal penalties.

"Illegally imported banned goods can introduce foreign pests and diseases into the country, causing serious damage to the natural environment, the agricultural economy and the food supply," Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency Commissioner Choe Jeong-rok said. "We will continue to thoroughly investigate illegal import and distribution activities and do our utmost to establish a sound quarantine order."