Prosecutor Li Kan-Ying Honored for Busting Etomidate and Marijuana Operations

(CNA, Kaohsiung, 9th, Reporter: Chang Yi-Lien) Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office prosecutor Li Kan-Ying was honored by the Executive Yuan today for investigating two major drug cases this year. He cracked a cross-border air-freight drug smuggling case, intercepting 100 kilograms of the Class 2 drug etomidate, and also busted a marijuana cultivation and manufacturing plant, seizing 1,565 cannabis plants.

The Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office explained that Prosecutor Li Kan-Ying recently led a special task force composed of police and customs officials. They uncovered a drug trafficking group suspected of exploiting the Lunar New Year period to smuggle drugs into the country under the guise of legal chemicals, using the name of a Kaohsiung chemical company. In March, police and prosecutors arrested a suspect surnamed Pan, who was responsible for customs declaration and receiving the goods, and traced and arrested the alleged mastermind, a suspect surnamed Cheng.

Prosecutors stated that the task force intercepted 100 kilograms of the Class 2 drug etomidate at the Kaohsiung Customs. It is estimated that if this batch of drugs had entered the market, it could have been used to produce about 1 million etomidate e-cigarette cartridges, with a black market value exceeding NT$2 billion. The case has been prosecuted for violation of the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act.

In addition, Li Kan-Ying directed units including the Investigation Bureau and the Customs Administration to investigate a case involving a defendant surnamed Hsiao and a French national defendant surnamed Yu, who were suspected of setting up large-scale marijuana cultivation and manufacturing factories in Qishan District, Kaohsiung City, and Laiyi Township, Pingtung County.

Prosecutors pointed out that the task force conducted a search on March 26, seizing 1,565 cannabis plants, approximately 6.18 kilograms of dried cannabis, as well as lighting equipment, temperature and humidity control systems, and clean room facilities. They also seized NT$300,000 in criminal proceeds from the residence of the defendant surnamed Hsiao. The investigation has been concluded and the case has been prosecuted.

The Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office issued a press release today stating that at the 14th Anju Anti-Drug Project results presentation and award ceremony held by the Executive Yuan today, Li Kan-Ying was awarded the 'Anju Anti-Drug Project Meritorious Personnel' award for successfully investigating the two aforementioned major drug cases.

Qiaotou Chief Prosecutor Kuo Ching-Tung stated that etomidate e-cigarette cartridges have rapidly spread in the market in recent years, causing numerous incidents of drugged driving and public safety issues. He also noted that marijuana use is trending towards younger users and wider dissemination. The Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office will continue to integrate the forces of the police, investigators, and customs to implement the strategy of 'tracing the source and eradicating the roots,' pursuing drug sources, trafficking networks, and criminal proceeds to dismantle the drug supply chain. (Editor: Li Hsi-Chang) 1150609