The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) on Thursday said it seized more than 400kg of cannabis on Feb. 28 in its largest bust in the past few years, with an estimated street value of NT$850 million (US$28.4 million).
The agency’s Tainan Reconnaissance Brigade received intelligence in January about a cross-border drug ring planning to smuggle a large quantity of narcotics into Taiwan later that month and in February, Liu Pang-chien (劉邦乾), a section chief at the agency’s Investigation Branch, told a news conference.
A team directed by Tainan prosecutors carried out a stakeout and identified the planned drop-off location, Liu said.
Photo: CNA
In February, the team spotted a vessel displaying “unusual movement,” and requested a search warrant and CGA assistance to intercept and board it, he said.
The vessel was the Taiwan-registered Chin Yu Man No. 368, captained by a man surnamed Chen (陳), he said.
Coast guard personnel and prosecutors found a smuggling compartment on the ship containing waterproof bags filled with packs of cannabis, a Category 2 narcotic in Taiwan, he said.
The shipment, including packaging, weighed 402.8kg and had an estimated value of NT$850 million.
It could supply an estimated 1.35 million users, he said.
Chou Cheng-chang (周政璋), head of the brigade, said the ship left Taiwan on Feb. 14 and sailed near the Pratas Islands (Dongsha Islands, 東沙群島) and the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島).
A preliminary investigation determined the shipment originated in Thailand, Chou said.
The Tainan District Prosecutors’ Office is investigating the case in accordance with the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act (毒品危害防制條例), the CGA said.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS