TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau on Thursday held its annual nationwide drug destruction ceremony in Taipei, incinerating a record 2,359 kilograms of seized narcotics, per UDN.
Among the items destroyed were 4,962 marijuana plants, highlighting the growing prevalence of cannabis use in Taiwan. The MJIB said smuggling and consumption of cannabis, classified as a category 2 narcotic, have increased in recent years.
The bureau said cannabis use has grown significantly and now surpasses amphetamines as the country’s second most common illegal drug. Ketamine remains the most widely used illicit drug, followed by cannabis and amphetamines.
Authorities transported the narcotics on Thursday morning from the bureau’s drug storage facility in Taipei to the Muzha Refuse Incineration Plant. Security for the operation included armored transport vehicles provided by the Bank of Taiwan, while the Taipei City Police Department, New Taipei City Police Department, and National Highway Police escorted the convoy along the route, per UDN.
The destruction ceremony was held in the afternoon, with the seized drugs in numbered boxes placed into the incinerator. Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-chien (鄭銘謙) presided over the event.
Other attendees included MJIB Director-General Chen Pai-li (陳白立) and Taiwan High Prosecutors' Office Prosecutor Teng Ting-chiang (鄧定強).
