Smuggling of a new type of drug called “rush” is increasing, prompting customs to tighten anti-drug controls.

The Korea Customs Service said Tuesday that rush accounted for 34 of the 62 attempts to smuggle new synthetic drugs into the country detected by its Incheon International Airport branch during the first quarter of the year. There were no known cases of the drug being smuggled into Korea last year.

Rush poppers, which are inhaled through the nose, can easily be purchased online via international air mail.

The drug contains isobutyl nitrite, which is known to enhance the sexual experience.

However, Kim Sung-jin, director of the Narcotics Policy Division at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, warns local users that the drug is more than a simple sexual stimulant.

“Many people misuse (the drug) as a sexual performance enhancer,” Kim told local media. “It is known to produce dependence and cause unconsciousness and heart attacks.”

The new narcotic, also known as “Jungle Juice” and “Blue Boy,” is sometimes labeled as a “leather cleaner,” which has similar chemical components as the drug, Incheon Airport Customs said.

The customs office is set to beef up anti-drug control on all international air mail and cargo.



By Suh Ye-seul (sys@heraldcorp.com)