20-kilogram amphetamine haul found on New Taipei City coast drifted from Pingtung County after smuggling boat capsized
An investigation has concluded that a 20.8 kilogram haul of amphetamines found by anglers in Wanli District, New Taipei City had originated from a boat that capsized off the coast of Pingtung County last year, prosecutors announced today, February 4.
According to reports, a man named Lin and three friends were fishing on the coast in Wanli District on May 12, 2020, when they noticed a bag floating on the sea. The men scooped the bag ashore and found that it contained packages labeled as “Tie Guanyin” brand tea. The name was written in simplified Chinese characters. Upon inspection, however, the packs contained, not tea, but a white crystalline substance.
Mr Lin took the packages to the Yeliu Police Station where the substance was tested and found to be amphetamine.
A subsequent investigation found that the drugs tested as being from the same batch found after a boat smuggling drugs had capsized of the coast of Pingtung County near Kenting on April 14. The packaging was also the same.
On April 14, the Penghu-registered Rixiang 12 capsized off the coast of Pingtung County, leaving the crew of two missing. After the boat was towed back to port, a search of the vessel uncovered 660 packs containing a total of 761 kilograms of amphetamines with a market value of more than NT$3 billion. Another 59 packets of drugs were found washed up on the coast of Pingtung County and Kaohsiung City.
Three people were arrested in connection with the smuggling operation.
Investigators believe that the drugs found in Wanli District, New Taipei City, 28 days later had drifted more than 300 kilometers from the capsized vessel.
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