10 arrested in Taipei drug smuggling ring

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A 10-person drug trafficking group, headed by a gang leader associated with the Thento Union (天道盟), was taken into police custody after months of surveillance by Taipei police.

Taipei City Police issued a press release on Wednesday announcing the arrest of the suspects as well as the confiscation of 17.2 kg of marijuana oil, 1 kg of cocaine, 3 kg of methamphetamine, a cell phone used for criminal activity, and illegal proceeds totaling NT$500,000 (US$15,259).

The arrests came after a lengthy investigation that began with the arrest of an individual surnamed Lin (林) in March last year with 1.6 kg of marijuana oil and packaging tools. This led police to suspect a gang was manufacturing marijuana e-cigarette cartridges. 

Months later, the task force seized another suspect, surnamed Chang (張), transporting another 2.6 kg of marijuana oil. Further investigation led police to learn that a drug trafficking group was utilizing a US national to bring the illicit substances.

After months of surveillance, it was discovered the US man would enter Taiwan on the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival last year, leading police to Taoyuan Airport where the US citizen was arrested along with the contraband.

His luggage contained 1 kg of cocaine, and 3kg of amphetamine, along with 13 kg of marijuana concentrate disguised as Canadian maple syrup. Upon interrogation, the man confessed to working as a taxi driver in the US and said he did not know the other members of the group. 

The task force set up a drug sting and caught the main suspect, surnamed Hsu (許), along with those complicit in drug distribution and other evidence.  

Police have transferred all 10 suspects to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office for investigation on suspicion of crimes under the Organized Crime Control Act, and the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act. Three suspects continue to be detained with Hsu released on bail of NT$1 million, and the remaining suspects placed under house arrest.