Taiwan Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office Press Release

Issue Date: March 24, 2025 Contributor: Yu-Shan Yan ,Deputy Chief Prosecutor

        At the end of last year, the office received intelligence that crew members of a maritime shipping company were using cargo ships to smuggle Schedule II narcotics, marijuana, from Thailand to Taiwan. Chief Prosecutor Chang Chun- Hui took the matter very seriously and immediately assigned Head Prosecutor Shih Chia-Jung and Prosecutor Chen Chun-Hung, along with relevant judicial police units, to form a task force to monitor and investigate the matter.

        On January 10, 2025, the task force successfully arrested Tsai ○-Wei,Liu ○-Wu, and Lai ○-Yen for jointly smuggling Schedule II narcotics into Taiwan. After the investigation, the three defendants were indicted for transporting Schedule II narcotics and smuggling controlled substances. Tsai ○-Wei and Liu  ○-Wu were formerly employed as crew members of the Chang ○ Shipping Company's Chang ○ vessel, while Lai  ○-Yen is a current crew member of the same vessel. The three defendants were fully aware that marijuana is classified as a Schedule II narcotic and a controlled substance in Taiwan, and that its transport and smuggling are prohibited by law. Nevertheless, they conspired to smuggle marijuana, they agreed that Tsai ○-Wei traveled to Thailand to purchase marijuana first, Lai  ○-Yen was responsible for transporting the marijuana back to Taiwan via sea, and Liu ○-Wu would handled the contact with the Thai seller and the sale of the marijuana after it entered Taiwan.

        On January 3, 2025, Tsai ○-Wei purchased marijuana and marijuana cigarettes in Thailand. On January 4, when the Chang ○ vessel docked at Laem Chabang Port in Thailand, Tsai ○-Wei handed over 27 packages of marijuana, 12 marijuana cigarettes, 5 boxes of marijuana oil, and 15 boxes of marijuana e-cigarettes (including e-liquid) to Lai ○-Yan, who then hiddened the items on board the cargo ship. When the Chang ○ vessel docked at Kaohsiung Port on January 10, Tsai ○-Wei immediately boarded the ship and retrieved the aforementioned drugs from Lai ○-Yen. Tsai ○-Wei then transported the drugs by private vehicle to a parking lot in Kaohsiung City. He left 8 packages of marijuana intended for Liu ○-Wu inside the car and packed the remaining 19 packages into a backpack, he was preparing to take the high- speed rail from Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung back to Chiayi. The members of the task apprehended Tsai ○-Wei at the Zuoying HSR station and seized 19 packages of marijuana (gross weight: 2,173 grams), 12 marijuana cigarettes, 5 boxes of marijuana oil, 15 boxes of marijuana e-cigarettes(including e-liquid), and a mobile phone from his backpack. Investigators then returned to the parking lot, confiscated the vehicle and, 8 packages of marijuana flower (gross weight: 1,265 grams). The total market value of the seized drugs is nearly NT$6 million. Subsequently, the members of the task also apprehended Liu ○-Wu and Lai ○-Yan. After interrogation, the prosecutor filed a request for detention with restriction of visitation for the three defendants, which was approved by the Ciaotou District Court.

        Chief Prosecutor Chang Chun-Hui emphasized that marijuana poses a serious threat to health and is listed as a Schedule II narcotic in Taiwan. The defendants in this case exploited security loopholes during port entry and exit as crew members and used the opportunity of the vessel’s docking in Thailand to purchase and smuggle marijuana into Taiwan for resale. Their actions represent a significant threat to public safety and the health of our citizens. The Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office will continue to collaborate with judicial police agencies to vigorously combat drug trafficking and safeguard the health and safety of the public.