Serious Crimes Investigation Agency makes first arrest 16 days after launch

The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency secured its first suspect in custody just 16 days after launching.

The narcotics investigation bureau of the Seoul branch said Sunday it had detained a Southeast Asian national, identified only as A, on charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act.

A is suspected of attempting to smuggle 2.5 kilograms of cannabis into South Korea concealed inside international mail parcels.

According to Yonhap, the agency arrested A through a "controlled delivery" operation, in which investigators follow the trail of drugs intercepted by customs to identify the actual recipient.

Citing the large quantity of drugs involved and concerns about evidence destruction and flight risk, the agency applied to the Incheon District Prosecution Service for an arrest warrant on Saturday. The prosecution service requested the warrant, and a court issued it.

The agency, which launched Oct. 2, handles investigations into six categories of serious crime — corruption, economic offenses, narcotics, national security, cybercrime and defense industry violations — as well as cases involving the obstruction of justice.