Smuggling of liquid marijuana has jumped since it was legalized in some U.S. states, especially among celebrities and the offspring of Korean tycoons.

According to the Korea Customs Service, no smuggling of liquid marijuana was reported until 2015. But the next year six cases involving 204 g worth an estimated W5 million were exposed (US$1=W1,206).

Last year there were 120 cases or some 16,000 g, and already in the first eight months of this year, 110 people were nabbed in customs with 9,813 g worth W226 million.

Cannabis extract, including liquid marijuana, is cheaper than other narcotics.

Society figures who were recently caught smuggling or using liquid marijuana include the daughter of Hong Jung-wook, the ex-chairman of the Korea Herald, the son of CJ Group chairman Lee Jay-hyun, and a grandson of SK Group founder Chey Jong-gun.

