Taiwan Coast Guard seizes 6,400 kg of smuggled seafood

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration announced Saturday that it has intercepted two smuggling operations this year involving a total of 6,400 kilograms of grilled eel and other seafood products.

The first case occurred in January during a routine inspection of a fishing vessel, where officers discovered 500 styrofoam boxes of grilled eel concealed in the fish hold. In June, another bust took place at the Port of Keelung, where more than 1,400 kg of frozen seafood imported from China were seized.

In both cases, the operators allegedly attempted to evade customs duties, quarantine checks, insurance requirements, and cold chain protocols in order to sell the goods illegally for profit.

The Coast Guard warned that seafood stored improperly can spoil easily and may carry harmful bacteria, posing serious risks to food safety and public health.

The cases have been handed over to customs and law enforcement agencies for further investigation. Authorities pledged continued cooperation with prosecutors, police, and customs officials to strengthen maritime inspections and combat illegal imports.

Officials emphasized that all seafood must be legally imported and pass inspection under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation before entering the domestic market. The Coast Guard also urged the public to report any suspicious activity at sea by calling the 24-hour hotline at 118.