Hsinchu police earlier this year busted the largest marijuana-growing operation in the nation’s history, seizing more than NT$2 billion (US$62.17 million) worth of product, the police announced today.
The Hsinchu Police Bureau in a raid on May 23 seized 4,519 marijuana plants, 1,666 seeds, lighting fixtures, temperature control systems, irrigation equipment and other greenhouse facilities, bureau chief Chiu Shao-chou (邱紹洲) said today.
Officers also discovered a 1,000-ping (3,300km²) cleanroom and other high-end production lines, showing that it was a sophisticated operation with significant investment seeking to supply the market at scale, he said.
Photo courtesy of the Hsinchu Police Bureau
In terms of the number of plants seized, it was the biggest cannabis bust in the nation’s history, Chiu said.
After four months of further investigation, police identified a person surnamed Chih (池) with a background in organized crime as the suspected leader of the operation, along with eight other suspects, the bureau said, adding that they were indicted last month.
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