Two men were arrested at Chiang Kai-shek (CKS) International
Airport on Sunday on charges of attempting to smuggle nearly six
kilograms of pure-grade heroin into Taiwan from Thailand, according
to Taipei media reports.
Investigators uncovered a total of 5.85 kg of heroin hidden in
the men's luggage. The drugs, which were packed together with
various kinds of health foods in 27 bottles, have an estimated
street value of 200 million new Taiwan dollars (US$6.05
million).
The two suspects were identified as Chao Wen-lung and Wang
Chih-ta.
Taiwan investigators said they were tipped off a year ago that
international drug rings would try to take advantage of Taiwan's
economic downturn to tempt unemployed workers and cash-strapped
young Internet cafe goers into smuggling contraband drugs into
Taiwan from Southeast Asian countries by offering them large sums
of money.
(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2005)