Taiwan Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office Press Release

Issue Date: April 17, 2024

Contributor: Chao-Ching Hsieh ,Deputy Chief Prosecutor

The prosecutor of this office has concluded the investigation and initiated prosecution in the case involving the transportation of 1381 kilograms of Class II drugs marijuana

The operation was directed by Prosecutor Yang Yi-Yun, through the monitoring, surveillance, and analysis of the North Gate inspection team of the Marine Patrol Division of the Coast Guard Administration, it lasted for three months and successfully intercepted a raft named "Nan-O Raft" in the northwest waters off Kaohsiung, where 221.7 kilograms of marijuana were seized on the spot. Subsequently, an additional 1159.3 kilograms of marijuana were found in the vicinity of the vessel. The prosecutor determined that a foreign oil tanker outside the southwestern waters was the mother ship and dispatched patrol boats to intercept , leading to the arrest of 10 suspects, the prosecutor requested detention for all suspects, which was granted by the court. The defendants are accused of transporting Class II drugs and have been formally charged.

Investigations revealed that seven Burmese crew members transported marijuana to the southwestern waters of Taiwan, planning to smuggle the drugs into Taiwan via a shuttle method. The 1381 kilograms of marijuana seized in this operation were divided into small packages, each weighing approximately 500 grams, with a total market value exceeding NT$3.5 billion. The confiscated vessel has been appraised and sold for NT$1.44 million.

News No. 113041701