TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Intelligence cooperation between Taiwan and the US led to the seizure of 281 kg of heroin and 354 kg of ketamine aboard the fishing vessel Tian Fai Tsair No. 38, authorities announced Tuesday.
The drugs had an estimated street value of NT$10.3 billion (US$326 million), according to the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau. Officials said the heroin haul alone exceeded Taiwan’s total annual heroin seizures in recent years: 159 kg nationwide in 2023, 127 kg in 2024, and 169 kg in 2025, per CNA.
Attendees at the press conference included Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene, Minister of Justice Cheng Ming-chien (鄭銘謙), and MJIB Director-General Chen Pai-li (陳白立).
According to the bureau, the operation took place in early December and involved cooperation between the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration, the Taipei Military Police, and the New Taipei and Pingtung District Prosecutors’ Offices. The fishing vessel was intercepted in waters southwest of Liuqiu Island.
Investigators discovered 740 bricks of heroin, a Category I controlled substance, and 340 packets of ketamine, a Category III controlled substance, concealed beneath frozen bait in the vessel’s forward fish hold. Authorities arrested three Taiwanese suspects, including a man surnamed Hsu (許), along with seven foreign crew members.
The bureau said the vessel departed from Donggang in Pingtung County on Nov. 29 and later rendezvoused with an unidentified steel-hulled vessel at sea on Dec. 2. After payment was exchanged, 23 bags disguised as bait and containing narcotics were transferred to the fishing vessel.
The drugs were then hidden in a freezer hold beneath large quantities of frozen fish before the vessel began its return voyage, per CNA.
At approximately 2 a.m. on Dec. 3, a joint task force boarded the vessel despite rough sea conditions. Investigators fired multiple shotgun rounds as warning and suppression measures to gain control of the ship before arresting the captain and crew.
A total of 10 suspects were taken into custody.
Authorities said the operation prevented a massive quantity of narcotics from entering the illicit market and highlighted the effectiveness of ongoing intelligence-sharing and law enforcement cooperation between Taiwan and the US.
