Among 31 illegal drugs detected, 21 were synthetic cannabinoids; the survey covered 34 treatment plants and a Halloween hotspot
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Summary
This investigation was conducted on Friday and Saturday targeting raw influent sewage from 34 sewage treatment plants, upper drainage basins in Seoul, Incheon, and Gwangju, and the population-dense area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul during the Halloween period. Of the 31 types of illegal drugs detected overall, as many as 21 were identified as synthetic cannabis derivatives. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 24th the '2025 Illegal Drug Use Survey Results' containing this analysis.
Furthermore, [Resale and DB prohibited] (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Sang-hyun = Last year, a total of 56 types of drugs were detected in domestic sewage nationwide, including 31 types of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine (philopon) and 25 types of medical drugs including zolpidem. In addition, the number of drug types that can be simultaneously analyzed was significantly increased from 14 types in 2024 to 243 types in 2025, and non-targeted analysis techniques capable of detecting unknown chemical structures without standard substances were also applied in parallel. By sewage sampling point, the number of illegal drug types was highest in the upper drainage basin with 18 types.
In addition, The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has been conducting a nationwide survey of residual drugs in sewage since 2020 to scientifically estimate the actual distribution and consumption of illegal drugs, which are difficult to identify solely through the detection performance of investigative agencies. It added that ketamine was detected in sewage treatment plants and densely populated areas in 2022-2024 and again last year.
Cross-referenced from 2 sources.
Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices
This investigation was conducted on Friday and Saturday targeting raw influent sewage from 34 sewage treatment plants, upper drainage basins in Seoul, Incheon, and Gwangju, and the population-dense area of Yongsan-gu, Seoul during the Halloween period.
reliability low1/2 sourcesOf the 31 types of illegal drugs detected overall, as many as 21 were identified as synthetic cannabis derivatives.
reliability low1/2 sourcesThe Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 24th the '2025 Illegal Drug Use Survey Results' containing this analysis.
reliability low1/2 sources[Resale and DB prohibited] (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Sang-hyun = Last year, a total of 56 types of drugs were detected in domestic sewage nationwide, including 31 types of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine (philopon) and 25 types of medical drugs including zolpidem.
reliability low1/2 sources
Reported detailssecondary facts, each attributed to its source
In addition, the number of drug types that can be simultaneously analyzed was significantly increased from 14 types in 2024 to 243 types in 2025, and non-targeted analysis techniques capable of detecting unknown chemical structures without standard substances were also applied in parallel.
according to Maeil BusinessBy sewage sampling point, the number of illegal drug types was highest in the upper drainage basin with 18 types.
according to Yonhap News AgencyThe Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has been conducting a nationwide survey of residual drugs in sewage since 2020 to scientifically estimate the actual distribution and consumption of illegal drugs, which are difficult to identify solely through the detection performance of investigative agencies.
according to Maeil BusinessIt added that ketamine was detected in sewage treatment plants and densely populated areas in 2022-2024 and again last year.
according to Yonhap News Agency
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