TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Coast Guard Administration said Monday it seized 718 kilograms of drugs aboard a foreign fishing vessel in waters southwest of Pingtung’s Maobitou.

The contraband has an estimated market value of more than NT$1.5 billion (US$49.5 million). The Chinese captain and three crew members were taken into custody, per CNA.

The CGA said it had received intelligence about groups using ships to transport both illegal goods and people, prompting stepped-up patrols by its southern region to protect Taiwanese fishing boats.

A foreign fishing vessel, YAMA68, was spotted entering waters about 128 nautical miles (237 km) southwest of Maobitou. The boat flew the Taiwan flag but did not have its vessel identification system activated, leading to an interception and inspection that uncovered multiple types of narcotics.

Officers initially planned to broadcast instructions for the ship to activate its identification system, but the fishing boat suddenly accelerated and fled. Several unidentified bags were visible on deck, heightening suspicion.

Despite repeated broadcasts and orders to stop for inspection, the vessel refused and repeatedly evaded boarding, leading to an hour-long pursuit. CGA personnel later boarded the vessel and apprehended the captain and crew. Forty-eight waterproof bags were found on deck, each indicative of drug smuggling.

A total of 10 bags (209.3 kg) of heroin, 36 bags (472.39 kg) of marijuana, one bag (18.2 kg) of methamphetamine, and one bag (18.3 kg) of nimetazepam were seized. The case was handed to the Tainan District Prosecutors Office for investigation.

The fishing boat was registered in Cambodia, with the captain surnamed Sun (孫) and three crew members all Chinese. The CGA suspects the vessel was a drug-transport “mother ship” that would rendezvous with smaller boats for repackaging and onward delivery.

Each crew member was allegedly paid between 80,000 and 100,000 Chinese yuan (about US$11,200–14,000) to transport the drugs from Cambodia.