▲ This undated file photo shows the logo of the Korea Customs Service (KCS). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

By Kang Yoon-seung

SEOUL, Aug. 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's customs agency said Thursday it busted 10 drug smuggling attempts through secondary screening of international mail, with suspects arrested in every case.

The Korea Customs Service (KCS) said the cases were detected between April and July after the agency tightened surveillance measures, including inspections of international parcels at postal sorting centers after they had already undergone border screening.

The KCS said authorities carried out controlled delivery operations for some cases, allowing the intercepted parcels to proceed to their destinations under investigators' surveillance to arrest the intended recipients.

"The customs agency has established multiple lines of defense against drug smuggling across all entry routes, expanding beyond international mail to include import and express cargo, travelers and crew members of vessels," KCS Commissioner Lee Jong-wook said.

"We are tracking down recipients and those behind the operations through various investigative techniques, including controlled deliveries," Lee said.

"We will track down and arrest drug smuggling and domestic distribution rings to eradicate the circulation of illegal drugs in the country," he added.

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