Bargain-Hunter’s Opportunity: Confiscated Sand Dredge Up for Auction
Kinmen District Prosecutor’s Office today announced that a Chinese-registered sand dredging ship confiscated after encroaching on Taiwan territory will be put up for auction August 10.
The Yuantai 99 was intercepted after being found stealing sand from territorial waters near Kinmen County. January 18, seven crewmen were sentenced to 6-8 months detention, while the ship was confiscated under prevention of profit from crime law.
A reserve price of NT$11 million (under US$363,000) has been set for the auction.
It is the first time a sand dredge from China has been confiscated and sold, and shows the determination to protect territorial integrity and the marine ecosystem.
According to the Kinmen County government, between 2007 and 2012, Kinmen lost 256, 631 square meters of shoreline due to illegal sand dredging by Chinese operators.
The auction will be held at 4:30pm, August 10, on the 5th floor of the District Prosecutor’s Office.
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