TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taoyuan City Police Department raided an illegal cigarette factory on Friday, seizing five tons of tobacco and cigarette-making machinery.

The seized tobacco could have produced approximately 3.15 million cigarettes with a market value of nearly NT$20 million (US$614,400). A 35-year-old man surnamed Jiang (江) was taken in for questioning on suspicion of violating the Tobacco and Alcohol Administration Act, per CNA.

Kao Hai-yuan (高海源), deputy chief of the Zhongli Police Precinct, told the media the raid followed a special task force investigation targeting illegal tobacco sales. After more than a week of surveillance, they uncovered the contraband cigarette operation on Friday.

A follow-up investigation will determine whether any accomplices were involved. Kao said preliminary findings suggest the factory had been operating for about three months, primarily distributing cigarettes to foreign laborers.

Lin Ding-tai (林鼎泰), chief of the Zhongli Police Precinct, said the raid was part of a broader anti-crime crackdown. As part of the operation, 100 officers inspected 16 business premises, leading to 102 arrests, including 41 wanted criminals.