Eight Chinese and South Korean nationals have been arrested on charges of smuggling methamphetamine worth more than 440 million won ($403,000) from China, Seoul police said Tuesday.

Among them, five, including a 35-year-old suspected drug lord surnamed Kwon, had allegedly smuggled in 132 grams of meth from China through Incheon International Airport, South Korea's main gateway, since August 2014, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency told reporters in a briefing.

The smuggling occurred on seven occasions, with the amount estimated to be enough for 4,400 people, the SMPA said.

The suspects hid the drug in their shoes or suitcases, wrapped in carbon paper, before going through security check points, police said.

Police believe the ring did this knowing that each gram of meth goes for 500,000-800,000 won, or 20 times the price in China, among Chinese communities in South Korea.

Three others were arrested and another three booked without physical detention in connection with the case, the SMPA said.

Four others, who allegedly distributed 28 grams of meth to Chinese and Chinese-Koreans in Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi region, remained at large. They are believed to have met their customers through social media, the SMPA said.

Police said arrest warrants were in place for the last remaining four, adding they were widening their investigation to locate other potential suspects. (Yonhap)