In what could prove to be a major breakthrough in the investigation into the attempted assasination of President Chen Shui-bian (
The three people were identified as Yeh Ho-chiang (
According to the police, Yeh, Chen and Huang made only a nominal effort to conceal their factory. When the officers arrived, the suspects did not make any attempt to close the door of the factory or to conceal the ammunition and weapons, which were clearly visible and scattered throughout the premises.
The police quoted Yeh -- the alleged mastermind of the group -- as saying that the homemade pistols were sold for NT$50,000 apiece; while homemade ammunition was sold for NT$400 per round, but the buyer must buy at least 30 rounds per purchase.
Yeh told the police that all three men used to be lathe workers. However, they decided to begin their illegal business to earn more money last year, and had sold more than 60 pistols and more than 10,000 bullets.
Tainan Chief Prosecutor Kuo Chen-ni (
"The bullets they produced match the two bullets that injured President Chen Shui-bian and Vice President Annette Lu (
In the meantime, Kuo said that the police had arrested three suspects, Ho Dun-ching (
However, the suspects refused to reveal to law enforcement officers where they had obtained their bullets.
Yesterday, prosecutors officially indicted the trio for possession of illegal firearms.
"Although we indicted them, it does not mean they are directly related to the assassination attempt," Kuo said.
One of the six men must have some useful information, she said.
"That is what we are trying to figure out," she added.
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