HSI Seoul attaché receives customs award following nation’s largest khat seizure
HSI Seoul Attaché Taekuk Cho receives award from South Korea Customs Commissioner Kim Nah-hoe
On any given day, you will find Taekuk Cho, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) attaché in South Korea, doing what he does best: combatting crime.
Attaché Cho, who has been serving in this post since October 2012, is unassuming, but tenacious about his work. He’s a man committed to enhancing an already favorable bilateral relationship between South Korea and the United States. Earlier this month, he received an award from Korean Customs Service Commissioner Kim Nah-hoe following the nation’s largest khat seizure. This is the second recent award he’s received from the Korean government. He also received a presidential award from South Korean President Park Geun-hye for the recovery of nine royal seals dating back to the Joseon Dynasty in 1392.
“Homeland Security Investigations Seoul is committed to combatting transnational crime by partnering with the Korea Customs Service in identifying, disrupting, and dismantling international narcotics smuggling syndicates with a nexus to South Korea and the United States,” said HSI Seoul Attaché Cho.
In March 2015, authorities arrested one American and one Ethiopian and seized 3,169 kilograms of dried khat with an estimated street value of $3 million in U.S. currency. The seizure was a direct result of a joint effort between HSI Seoul, the Incheon District Prosecutor’s Office and the Korean Customs Service.
The khat, which was destined for the United States, was shipped from Kenya as henna. It is the largest seizure of khat in South Korea’s history. It is also their first prosecution for dried khat. Dried khat is illegal in the United States as it contains cathinone, a controlled substance.
Khat is a plant native in Africa and contains cathinone which causes stimulation and excitement. Its leaves are chewed or dried for tea. Cathinone is known to be very addictive and has been classified as a controlled substance in the United States since May 1987.
Through its International Operations, HSI has 65 operational attaché offices in 46 countries around the world. HSI special agents work closely with foreign law enforcement agencies through a robust network of specialized, vetted units known as Transnational Criminal Investigative Units. Additionally, HSI brings personnel from host countries to the United States to train at the Department of Homeland Security Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia.
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