A U.S. Army private is under investigation by prosecutors in connection with the largest-ever drug smuggling case involving U.S. soldiers in Korea. The soldier will be handed over to the local authorities on July 23.

According to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, the unidentified U.S. 2nd Infantry Division private is suspected of having smuggled 3.5 kilograms of drugs, including synthetic cannabis. The private is also suspected of supplying drugs to civilians and U.S. military personnel. The 2nd Infantry Division said it has been cooperating with the local law enforcement agencies in an ongoing investigation since January, and the private has been questioned by the authorities on several occasions.

The local authorities are also reported to have found evidence that a number of discharged and current U.S. military personnel are operating a drug smuggling and distribution operation in Korea.

The investigators are now said to be focusing on determining whether there is a larger criminal gang involved in the smuggling operation.

The move to detain the private is thought to have been motivated by the recent rise in synthetic cannabis smuggling.

According to the Korea Customs Service, the amount of synthetic cannabis confiscated by the authorities during smuggling attempts increased from 30 grams in 2009 to 3.06 kilograms last year.

In addition, U.S. military personnel are thought to be responsible for as much as 80 percent of the synthetic cannabis smuggling into the country during the first five months of the year.

By Choi He-suk  (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)