TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A British man who entered Taiwan as a tourist was caught attempting to smuggle ketamine hidden in his luggage while allegedly serving as a courier for a drug ring.
Chang Tsung-lung (張驄瀧) of the Aviation Police Bureau said Tuesday the Customs Administration detected abnormalities in the X-ray image of the 25-year-old suspect’s checked bag during inspections at Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 2 on Feb. 3, per CNA. Officers opened the suitcase and found 20.23 kg of ketamine.
The man admitted he was recruited by a drug trafficking ring to transport the narcotics in exchange for £16,000 (NT$680,000), along with transportation and accommodation costs. He allegedly obtained the drugs in Germany and attempted to smuggle them into Taiwan via Abu Dhabi under the guise of tourism.
Chang said the suspect was visiting Taiwan for the first time and was transferred to the Taoyuan District Prosecutors’ Office for investigation and indictment on alleged breaches of the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act, CNA reported. He added that authorities will continue strengthening border drug interdiction efforts and warned that transporting a Category 3 narcotic carries a prison sentence of at least seven years.
