South Korean police have launched investigations into 10 additional companies suspected of hoarding syringes, following a special crackdown by health authorities.
The National Office of Investigation under the Korean National Police Agency said in a press release Tuesday that it had ordered "a swift launch of investigations into 10 companies newly referred by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on charges of hoarding." Combined with the four companies previously referred, the total number of firms under investigation has risen to 14.
The police agency assigned the cases to the anti-corruption and economic crime investigation units of the relevant metropolitan and provincial police agencies, ordering a swift investigation. By region, the cases include two in Seoul, one in Busan, one in Gwangju, three in southern Gyeonggi, two in northern Gyeonggi, and one in North Chungcheong.
Police plan to actively seek pre-indictment asset preservation for the value of goods acquired through hoarding. The aim is to freeze profits gained from illegal distribution in advance, cutting off criminal proceeds at the source.
The Price Stabilization Act requires the confiscation of crime-related goods. However, when such goods cannot be seized, an equivalent value can be collected instead.
"We plan to cooperate closely with related agencies such as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and respond sternly to the end against illegal activities that disrupt the distribution order of medical supplies," a police agency official said.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety had announced the previous day that it had identified 34 companies (57 cases) violating the notice prohibiting the hoarding of syringes, following a special crackdown on syringe sellers from the 27th to the 30th of last month. Of the 34 companies, 10 — including firms previously caught and found to be violating again in this crackdown — were referred to the police.
