TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — To lose weight, a 37-year-old woman surnamed Chang (張) in Taichung purchased weight-loss drugs online from Vietnam after being introduced to the product by a foreign caregiver who worked in her home.

The medicine was found to contain sibutramine, a category 4 drug, which was detected during customs clearance. This led to her arrest, making her the 14th person apprehended by the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) in the past year (June 2023–May 2024) over the substance.

The CIB said it was notified by Taichung Customs in May about a large shipment of "Rubis S Detox" weight loss products imported from Vietnam. The quantity was more than 360 packages, which weighed more than 10 kg, per LTN.

After testing, it was found to contain a banned substance that acts as an appetite suppressant and anti-depressant which has been discontinued in many countries because it increases the risk of heart attack. Chang alleges her large, one-time purchase was only for personal use, as she had no intention of distributing it to other people.

Chang’s arrest marks more than a dozen similar incidents in the past year involving illegal weight-loss products containing sibutramine imported to Taiwan from Southeast Asia and other countries. Other products stopped at customs have included brand names ranging from "Mara Slim," "Toki Slimming,” "Ozy," "Sera," "Itcha XS," and "Go Coffee," among others.

Those convicted of felony transportation of drugs can face a minimum sentence of five years in jail and a maximum penalty of 12 years. The CIB appealed to the public to be aware of the penalties associated with category 4 drugs.

Furthermore, those who take sibutramine for weight loss can face a risk of side effects such as heart palpitations, arrhythmia, or cardiac arrest.