Investigation Bureau loses 6.5 kilograms of amphetamines

Four officers of the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) were demoted and transferred today while an investigation continues into 6.5 kilograms of amphetamines that was “lost” while being transferred to a lab in New Taipei City.

According to media reports, officers from the Keelung City Field Office, Maritime Affairs Field Division lost the haul while it was being delivered to a investigative laboratory in Hsintien District, New Taipei City, in November last year, but the incident was not reported to head office until sometime last week.

The MJIB released a press release yesterday saying that the MJIB Director has ordered a task force be set up to investigate the case. After the investigation is complete, relevant personnel will face criminal and/or administrative penalties, and no leniency will be shown.

The Keelung Field Office reported to headquarters that an officer named Zheng was meant to deliver the 6.5 kilograms of amphetamines to the Forensic Science Division of the Investigation Bureau, November 13, 2019, but the amphetamines were “accidentally lost” on the way.

TVBS quoted a former MJIB officer as pointing out that when transporting drug case evidence, at least two personnel must be dispatched, including at least one officer with a firearm.

The use of polygraph tests and urine drug tests are being considered as part of the investigation.

The MJIB said that it was the first time in history that drug-evidence has been lost by the bureau.

The 6.5 kilogram haul is estimated to have a wholesale black market value of NT$5 million, and a street value of up to NT$10 million.

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