Black-marketing on Osan: violators will be punished Published March 15, 2007 By Capt. Patrick M. Schwomeyer 51st Fighter Wing Legal Office OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Black-marketers better beware as investigators are cracking down on this illegal activity. Everyone's heard of black-marketing, but what is it? Black-marketing typically refers to the buying and selling of merchandise illegally. However, the term is also used to describe any unlawful transfer of goods as prohibited by U.S. Forces Korea regulations. These regulations prohibit the "transfer" of duty-free goods to persons not authorized free import privileges. These goods may be legal to possess, unlike illegal drugs and weapons, but they are sold or transferred illicitly to avoid taxes. Black-marketing occurs outside the law, meaning it is conducted "in the dark," out of sight of the law. At Osan, black-marketing typically involves the buying of duty-free and tax-free goods from the base exchange, commissary and shopette, then reselling or transferring them off base to a person that is unauthorized to receive them, which is typically anyone who does not possess a ration card or military identification card. Military members caught black-marketing have faced adverse administrative actions, such as non-judicial punishment under Article 15 of the UCMJ or involuntary discharge from service with a less than honorable characterization. Some military members have also faced court-martial because of their illegal activity. Military family members, dependents of retirees, contractors and civilian employees that participate in the black market have also received adverse administrative actions to include being barred from base or suspension of other base privileges, including access to the commissary and/or base exchange for certain periods of time. Barments or suspensions from an installation will be for as little as six months and as much as a number of years. Several Osan cases have resulted in barments for up to 20 years. The top six black-marketing items are franks, rice, beef products, honey, beef patties and cheese. Black-marketers also target diapers, baby food, vitamins and other products that are hard to find on the Korean economy, or are a lot more expensive off base. These goods are resold for a profit and are still typically cheaper than the same exact goods that are imported into Korea legally and sold subject to Korean taxes. The estimated street value of black-marketed goods from January to October 2005 was an astounding $20.4 million! To help detect black-marketing, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Defense Commissary Agency use computers to track every purchase an individual makes, down to the exact minute and which checkout lane they used. These computers are only one tool investigators utilize in apprehending black-marketers. Customs officials and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations work hand-in-hand to apprehend black-marketers. Investigators are about to shed some more light on the black market, so black-marketers had better beware. If you spot suspicious activity contact the 51st Security Forces Squadron law enforcement desk immediately at 784-5515.