In a concerning trend, 28kg of ketamine, disguised as Chinese tea bags, have been discovered along the shores of Jeju Island in South Korea. The Jeju Coast Guard has launched an investigation as authorities piece together how this illegal drug is being smuggled into the country.
Since September 2025, residents of the popular holiday island have been finding small packages washed ashore, each wrapped in foil and marked with the Chinese character for tea. The most recent and largest discovery occurred on October 15, when a beach cleaner found 20kg of the substance along the southern coast.
Ketamine: A Dangerous Illicit Drug
Ketamine, which is commonly used as an anaesthetic in medical settings, is illegal in South Korea for recreational use. When abused, it can cause severe damage to both physical and mental health, particularly to the heart and lungs. Its presence on the beaches of Jeju has raised significant public concern.
Authorities are still unsure of how the drugs disguised as tea made their way to the island. Investigators suspect that the ocean currents may have carried the packages, which may have been dropped into the sea by criminal syndicates using a method known as a “sea bump”—where bundles of drugs are dropped into the ocean to be retrieved later.
Authorities Respond to the Growing Concern
The Jeju Coast Guard has mobilized a large team of over 800 soldiers, police officers, and volunteers to comb the island’s beaches for any more suspicious packages. The Coast Guard has also warned the public not to touch or open any found objects, urging them instead to report them to the police.
In the past, similar drug packages have been found in Pohang (South Korea) and Tsushima Island (Japan), indicating that this could be part of a larger cross-border drug-smuggling operation.
Local Residents Express Concern
Local residents, especially those with children, have voiced concerns over the safety of their beaches. “I shudder to think that children might touch something like that,” said one concerned resident, who witnessed the large-scale search effort. Another local emphasized the need for authorities to prevent more illicit drugs from reaching the island.
