Six Major Drug Enforcement Systems Nationwide Crackdown on 'Zombie E-Cigarettes' Nabs 547 Suspects
Taiwan's six major drug enforcement systems executed the 'Safe Neighborhood Drug Enforcement Project,' arresting 2,225 drug suspects and seizing 1,744 kg of drugs. The operation specifically targeted 'zombie e-cigarettes' containing etomidate, apprehending 547 suspects.
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- 📰 Published: June 9, 2026 at 13:01
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(Central News Agency reporter Huang Liyun, Taipei, 9th) In a full-court press to prevent drug-impaired driving, Executive Yuan Political Commissioner Lin Ming-hsin stated today that the six major drug enforcement systems nationwide executed the 'Safe Neighborhood Drug Enforcement Project,' resulting in the arrest of 2,225 drug crime suspects and the seizure of 1,744 kilograms of various drugs. Among these, 547 suspects were involved in etomidate-type drugs, and 118 drug manufacturing and distribution sites were dismantled.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau of the National Police Agency, in coordination with the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, held a press conference this morning to announce the results of the '14th Wave Safe Neighborhood Drug Enforcement Project and Major Drug Enforcement Cases.'
In his address, Lin Ming-hsin stated that drug enforcement and social order maintenance currently face two severe challenges: the issue of 'drug-impaired driving' and the 'proliferation of e-cigarette drugs among youth.' Criminals are adding emerging drugs like etomidate to e-cigarette oil (commonly known as 'zombie e-cigarettes'), using flashy packaging or harmless-sounding language to lure students, posing a campus security concern.
Lin said that this project, coordinated by the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office and involving the six major drug enforcement systems—prosecution, investigation, police, coast guard, military police, and customs—was executed from March 16 to April 4 this year. It conducted a comprehensive sweep targeting community-level drug dealers, drug packaging sites, manufacturing, transportation, and sales networks, and the entire drug supply chain.
During the project period, a total of 963 locations were searched, and 2,225 drug crime suspects were apprehended. Of these, 1,035 were involved in manufacturing, transporting, or selling drugs. Searches were conducted at 963 locations, 196 suspects were detained, and 1,744 kilograms of various drugs were seized. A total of 142 drug manufacturing factories, packaging sites, and cultivation sites were dismantled, effectively disrupting the drug supply chain.
Regarding the etomidate-type drugs that have recently drawn significant public concern, Lin said the project specifically strengthened enforcement in this area, apprehending 547 suspects involved in manufacturing, selling, or transporting etomidate-type drugs, accounting for 53% of the supply-side drug suspects. Additionally, 118 etomidate-type drug manufacturing factories and packaging sites were dismantled, representing 83% of all drug manufacturing sites seized in this operation, demonstrating the effectiveness of the crackdown.
Furthermore, to prevent drugs from entering campuses and harming youth, the project also focused on tracing and apprehending drug dealers who were students or young people, resulting in 188 such individuals being caught.
Regarding specific case results, the Third Special Police Corps of the National Police Agency received intelligence earlier this year that a 50-something male surnamed Zheng, with a prior drug record, was masterminding a drug smuggling plan. He recruited a 40-something male surnamed Pan with high pay to handle customs declaration and goods receipt. They impersonated a well-known chemical company in Kaohsiung, using legitimate chemicals to evade customs inspection, attempting to smuggle drugs from India via Vietnam into Taiwan.
After a long-term investigation and evidence gathering, the task force apprehended Pan on March 20 and then traced up the chain to arrest Zheng. They also successfully intercepted 100 kilograms of high-purity etomidate powder at Kaohsiung Customs, enough to produce approximately 1 million 'zombie e-cigarette' cartridges, with a black market value exceeding NT$2 billion.
The case was transferred to the Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office for investigation under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act. Both Zheng and Pan were ordered detained by the court and have been indicted by the prosecutor.
Other project results include a case from the Yilan County Police Bureau's Criminal Investigation Brigade. While investigating a drug use case, they traced the source back to a nearly 30-year-old drug manufacturer surnamed Lu, who had a prior drug record. Lu had rented a residential suite in Yilan as a cover to set up a 'zombie e-cigarette' drug manufacturing factory.
After a long surveillance operation, the task force executed a search and arrest operation in mid-March. They arrested Lu and seized 7,925 grams of the second-level drug isopropyl palmitate raw material used for manufacturing, along with 421.31 grams of blended finished oil and other evidence.
The Yilan District Prosecutors Office requested and obtained Lu's detention on charges of manufacturing a second-level drug, and the case was concluded and indicted at the end of May.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau stated in a press release that 'zombie e-cigarettes,' due to their combination with e-cigarette devices, are easy to use. They not only severely harm users' physical and mental health but can also lead to drug-impaired driving accidents due to unconsciousness, slow reactions, or involuntary muscle twitching after use.
Simultaneously, in addition to sweeping the supply networks from the source, the National Police Agency has also strengthened roadside drug-impaired driving enforcement. Since the end of last year, they have been fully utilizing saliva drug rapid screening tests. Statistics from January to May this year show that 6,730 drug-impaired driving cases were detected, demonstrating the effectiveness of this new enforcement tool. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150609
The Criminal Investigation Bureau of the National Police Agency, in coordination with the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office, held a press conference this morning to announce the results of the '14th Wave Safe Neighborhood Drug Enforcement Project and Major Drug Enforcement Cases.'
In his address, Lin Ming-hsin stated that drug enforcement and social order maintenance currently face two severe challenges: the issue of 'drug-impaired driving' and the 'proliferation of e-cigarette drugs among youth.' Criminals are adding emerging drugs like etomidate to e-cigarette oil (commonly known as 'zombie e-cigarettes'), using flashy packaging or harmless-sounding language to lure students, posing a campus security concern.
Lin said that this project, coordinated by the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office and involving the six major drug enforcement systems—prosecution, investigation, police, coast guard, military police, and customs—was executed from March 16 to April 4 this year. It conducted a comprehensive sweep targeting community-level drug dealers, drug packaging sites, manufacturing, transportation, and sales networks, and the entire drug supply chain.
During the project period, a total of 963 locations were searched, and 2,225 drug crime suspects were apprehended. Of these, 1,035 were involved in manufacturing, transporting, or selling drugs. Searches were conducted at 963 locations, 196 suspects were detained, and 1,744 kilograms of various drugs were seized. A total of 142 drug manufacturing factories, packaging sites, and cultivation sites were dismantled, effectively disrupting the drug supply chain.
Regarding the etomidate-type drugs that have recently drawn significant public concern, Lin said the project specifically strengthened enforcement in this area, apprehending 547 suspects involved in manufacturing, selling, or transporting etomidate-type drugs, accounting for 53% of the supply-side drug suspects. Additionally, 118 etomidate-type drug manufacturing factories and packaging sites were dismantled, representing 83% of all drug manufacturing sites seized in this operation, demonstrating the effectiveness of the crackdown.
Furthermore, to prevent drugs from entering campuses and harming youth, the project also focused on tracing and apprehending drug dealers who were students or young people, resulting in 188 such individuals being caught.
Regarding specific case results, the Third Special Police Corps of the National Police Agency received intelligence earlier this year that a 50-something male surnamed Zheng, with a prior drug record, was masterminding a drug smuggling plan. He recruited a 40-something male surnamed Pan with high pay to handle customs declaration and goods receipt. They impersonated a well-known chemical company in Kaohsiung, using legitimate chemicals to evade customs inspection, attempting to smuggle drugs from India via Vietnam into Taiwan.
After a long-term investigation and evidence gathering, the task force apprehended Pan on March 20 and then traced up the chain to arrest Zheng. They also successfully intercepted 100 kilograms of high-purity etomidate powder at Kaohsiung Customs, enough to produce approximately 1 million 'zombie e-cigarette' cartridges, with a black market value exceeding NT$2 billion.
The case was transferred to the Ciaotou District Prosecutors Office for investigation under the Narcotics Hazard Prevention Act. Both Zheng and Pan were ordered detained by the court and have been indicted by the prosecutor.
Other project results include a case from the Yilan County Police Bureau's Criminal Investigation Brigade. While investigating a drug use case, they traced the source back to a nearly 30-year-old drug manufacturer surnamed Lu, who had a prior drug record. Lu had rented a residential suite in Yilan as a cover to set up a 'zombie e-cigarette' drug manufacturing factory.
After a long surveillance operation, the task force executed a search and arrest operation in mid-March. They arrested Lu and seized 7,925 grams of the second-level drug isopropyl palmitate raw material used for manufacturing, along with 421.31 grams of blended finished oil and other evidence.
The Yilan District Prosecutors Office requested and obtained Lu's detention on charges of manufacturing a second-level drug, and the case was concluded and indicted at the end of May.
The Criminal Investigation Bureau stated in a press release that 'zombie e-cigarettes,' due to their combination with e-cigarette devices, are easy to use. They not only severely harm users' physical and mental health but can also lead to drug-impaired driving accidents due to unconsciousness, slow reactions, or involuntary muscle twitching after use.
Simultaneously, in addition to sweeping the supply networks from the source, the National Police Agency has also strengthened roadside drug-impaired driving enforcement. Since the end of last year, they have been fully utilizing saliva drug rapid screening tests. Statistics from January to May this year show that 6,730 drug-impaired driving cases were detected, demonstrating the effectiveness of this new enforcement tool. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150609
FAQ
What is the 'Safe Neighborhood Drug Enforcement Project'?
It is a large-scale enforcement operation by Taiwan's six major drug enforcement systems targeting community-level drug supply networks.
Which drug was the focus of this project?
The 'zombie e-cigarette,' which is etomidate mixed into e-cigarette oil, causing unconsciousness and slow reactions.
How many people were arrested in this project?
A total of 2,225 drug crime suspects were arrested, including 547 related to etomidate-type drugs.