21-Year-Old Man Arrested for Drug-Impaired Driving from Taoyuan to Hualien with Massive Stash of 'Rainbow Cigarettes'
A 21-year-old man from Taoyuan was arrested after driving to Hualien under the influence of ketamine. Police seized over 5,000 'Rainbow Cigarettes' (drug-laced cigarettes) from his vehicle. The suspect has been detained by the court.
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- 📰 Published: May 28, 2026 at 16:31
- 🔍 Collected: May 31, 2026 at 23:51 (79h 20m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 00:45 (24h 53m after Collected)
According to a report from CNA, a 21-year-old man from Taoyuan was arrested after driving to Hualien under the influence of ketamine-laced cigarettes. Police discovered over 5,000 "Rainbow Cigarettes" in his vehicle, weighing over 8,000 grams. Following questioning, prosecutors requested his detention, which was granted by the court.
Investigations revealed that the suspect smoked cigarettes containing ketamine, a Category 3 controlled substance, in Taoyuan at noon on the 26th before driving south. At 9:15 PM, he was stopped at a police checkpoint in Hualien County's Xincheng township. Police were already aware of his history of drug offenses.
Officers from the Xincheng Police Precinct noticed signs of drug impairment, including erratic behavior, incoherent speech, and trembling hands. After detecting an unusual odor in the car, they requested a saliva test, which the suspect resisted. Police determined he was unfit to drive safely and arrested him for public endangerment.
Police seized 30 bags containing approximately 5,400 "Rainbow Cigarettes" (totaling about 8,600 grams) from the trunk and the suspect's bag. Other evidence included a ketamine tray, a canister of ketamine crystals, a stun gun, and NT$13,500 in cash.
A saliva test confirmed the presence of ketamine. The Hualien District Prosecutors Office determined that the suspect was involved in the transport of a significant quantity of drugs across multiple counties. Given the risk of flight and evidence tampering, the court granted the request to detain the suspect.
Investigations revealed that the suspect smoked cigarettes containing ketamine, a Category 3 controlled substance, in Taoyuan at noon on the 26th before driving south. At 9:15 PM, he was stopped at a police checkpoint in Hualien County's Xincheng township. Police were already aware of his history of drug offenses.
Officers from the Xincheng Police Precinct noticed signs of drug impairment, including erratic behavior, incoherent speech, and trembling hands. After detecting an unusual odor in the car, they requested a saliva test, which the suspect resisted. Police determined he was unfit to drive safely and arrested him for public endangerment.
Police seized 30 bags containing approximately 5,400 "Rainbow Cigarettes" (totaling about 8,600 grams) from the trunk and the suspect's bag. Other evidence included a ketamine tray, a canister of ketamine crystals, a stun gun, and NT$13,500 in cash.
A saliva test confirmed the presence of ketamine. The Hualien District Prosecutors Office determined that the suspect was involved in the transport of a significant quantity of drugs across multiple counties. Given the risk of flight and evidence tampering, the court granted the request to detain the suspect.
FAQ
What are 'Rainbow Cigarettes' in Taiwan?
They are cigarettes laced with drugs like ketamine, classified as a Category 3 controlled substance in Taiwan.