Canadian man arrested attempting to import more than 30kg cannabis at Taoyuan International Airport

A Canadian national was arrested at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport October 30 after being found in possession of more than 30 kilograms of marijuana stored in two suitcases, it was revealed at a press conference today.

The suspect, who has not been named in media reports, was intercepted at 5:00am October 30 after an x-ray search of checked baggage from an Eva Air flight arriving from Toronto at terminal 2 raised customs officers’ suspicions.

After the suspect, described as being a Canadian of African-descent, picked up the suitcases, he was stopped by customs and excise officers.

When officers opened the suitcases, they found 30 vacuum-sealed packs of cannabis heads, each weighing 1.054 kilograms.

Police estimate the haul of high-quality buds to be worth between NT$80 million to NT$120 million.

After being questioned by customs and aviation police, the man was sent to the Taoyuan District Prosecutor’s Office to face criminal charges.

Police and customs have vowed to strengthen inspection of passengers and luggage arriving from Canada, as several cases have been intercepted since cannabis was legalized there late last year.

In Taiwan, cannabis is classed as a category 2 drug along with dangerous and addictive substances such as methamphetamine. According to Article 4 of the Drug Hazard Prevention Regulations, the production or transportation of cannabis can carry a prison sentence of seven years to life.

Sources: China Times, Liberty Times Network.

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